When it comes to policies on drugs and the death penalty, Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam believes in a balance of compassion and hard-h
When it comes to policies on drugs and the death penalty, Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam believes in a balance of compassion and hard-headed analysis. Speaking to 80 youth leaders at a dialogue organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Youth Council on September 20, Shanmugam explained that a “soft heart” must work with a “hard head” to ensure policies serve Singapore’s safety and security.
The Moral Debate on Capital Punishment
One participant questioned the moral and ethical grounds for the death penalty, especially given its irreversible nature. Shanmugam responded, “If you believe the death penalty is wrong, regardless of the facts, I respect that position.” However, he argued that his policies prioritize saving lives and maintaining public safety, asserting, “My policies save more lives than they take.”
Since resuming executions in March 2022, Singapore has executed 16 individuals for drug trafficking offenses. Shanmugam noted that for those who oppose capital punishment on ideological grounds, agreement may be impossible, yet he emphasized that his approach is evidence-based, aimed at minimizing drug-related harm in society.
Singapore’s Three-Pronged Drug Policy
Outlining Singapore’s strategy, Shanmugam detailed a three-pronged approach: preventive drug education, strict laws with rigorous enforcement, and evidence-based rehabilitation. The death penalty, he clarified, only applies to significant drug trafficking cases. For example, possessing more than 15 grams of heroin—a volume that feeds 180 addicts for a week—could trigger capital punishment.
Presenting data, he highlighted the impact of these measures, including a 66% decrease in the volume of trafficked opium after the death penalty was applied to opium trafficking in 1990. A 2021 Ministry of Home Affairs survey found that 87% of regional respondents believe capital punishment deters substantial drug trafficking.
Who Deserves Clemency?
Asked about clemency’s rarity, Shanmugam explained that capital punishment cases undergo thorough legal review, and clemency is considered only under “exceptional circumstances.” Granting clemency, he noted, would override judicial decisions and the established law.
The Broader Impact of Drug Policies
Referencing the impact of drug abuse worldwide, Shanmugam cited a 2013 NBC report noting over 27,000 babies in the U.S. born with opioid dependencies in that year alone. To illustrate the consequences of drug abuse in Singapore, he shared an image of a nine-month-old child found in a home filled with drug paraphernalia. “Activists cry for death row traffickers,” he said, “but who cries for these children?”
In Singapore, Shanmugam emphasized, the Government’s policies focus on protecting the vulnerable and reducing the harmful societal effects of drug abuse.
COMMENTS