FeCAM Youth: Yong Vui Kong Should be Punished, but Not by Death Sentence

The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia Youth Section (FsCAM Youth) urges President of Singapore S. R. Nathan to invoke Article 22 (p) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to grant pardon to Yong Vui Kong who has been convicted and sentenced to death.

FECAM Youth is in an opinion that Yong Vui Kong’s family background should be taken into consideration in this case and he admitted his conviction of drug trafficking after being arrested.

Yong Vui Kong was exploited by drug dealer to undergo drug trafficking due to his educational level. As a result, he didn’t even realize that drug trafficker will be sentenced to death according to the law. This can be proven that when he was arrested he did not hide the drugs but put them on the chair. A normal drug trafficker will not act like the innocent Yong Vui Kong.

It is known that Yong withdrew his appeal against the conviction and death sentence when it was first handed down by the High Court, on the false belief that by appealing, he is denying his conviction. After listening to the explanation from the lawyer that the appeal was against his death sentence, not the conviction, he agreed to proceed with the appeal. This shows that Yong is ready to own up to his wrong doing.

“Perhaps many would ask: If we pardon someone just because he has repented, are we at the same time educating the public that committing crime is fine? Looking specifically at Yong’s case, we think that he should be punished but not sentenced to death.” FeCAM Youth Chief Hii Yik Ping agrees that to pursuit the spirit of Rule of Law, we must not let Yong escape punishment.

“However, death penalty should not be used on him either.” Hii Yik Ping said.

Realizing that death penalty is not the best resolution to reduce crime, United Kingdom has abolished this cruel punishment back in 1950s. Although Malaysia and Singapore adopted most laws from the common law system, these two countries are still implementing death penalty.

Thus, FeCAM Youth once again urges President of Singapore to grant Yong with clemency.

Finally, FeCAM Youth would like to pledge all Malaysians to sign the online petition “Give Yong Vui Kong a Second Chance to Help Singapore in Anti-Drug Trafficking Policy” (http://www.petitiononline.com/SaveVK/petition.htm) to support this campaign before 26th August, the last day for Yong to file petition for clemency. This is a chance to educate our youth about the danger of drug and every signature of yours shows a support!

死罪可免·活罪难逃，华总青吁赦免杨伟光

http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/14575.html

作者／本刊记者 Aug 18, 2010 04:26:58 pm

【本刊记者撰述】“死罪可免，活罪难逃”，马来西亚中华大会堂总会青年团（简称华总青）总团长许益品表示，为了维护法治精神，杨伟光必须对他所犯下的罪行负责，不过却不是残酷的死刑判决。基于人道立场，他吁请新加坡总统纳丹行使其赦免死刑犯之权力，宽赦杨伟光。

华总青总团长许益品（右图）今天发表文告，吁请新加坡总统纳丹援引新加坡共和国宪法第22P条文赋予新加坡总统赦免死刑犯之权力，以特赦死囚马来西亚青年杨伟光。

许益品表示，基于杨伟光的特殊身世，加上他被捕后就对所犯罪行直认不讳，因此希望新加坡总统能够法外开恩，赦免杨伟光的死刑。

“杨伟光因为所受教育程度不高，被毒贩利用来运毒，甚至不知道走私毒品会被叛死刑，这点我们可从杨伟光被捕时毒品是放在椅子上获知。若是一般毒贩运毒，毒品都会吞下肚里或是匿藏在隐秘的地方，绝对不会像无知的杨伟光那样做。”

文告指出，据了解杨伟光误以为上诉就是要否定罪名，而半途要求律师放弃上诉，因为他要承担法律的责任。不过，在聆听律师的解释其上诉是针对刑罚，而不是推翻定罪之后，他才同意上诉。“单从这点来看，杨伟光是真心悔改的。”

死刑非最佳方式

许益品指称，或许很多民众会提出一个疑问，难道真心悔改就能逃过判刑吗？那我们不是等于间接教育他人犯罪没关系，只要被逮捕之后真心悔改就可以了？

“针对杨伟光的个案来看，我们认为他死罪可免，活罪难逃。杨伟光对于犯罪的无知确实是一个事实，虽然我们常说不知者无罪，但是为了维护法治精神的完整性，杨伟光必须对他所犯下的罪行负责，不过却不是残酷的死刑判决。”

许益品表示，由于了解到死刑并不是解决罪案的最佳方式，英国早在五十年代已经废除死刑，而沿用英国法律制度的马新两国，至今还保留死刑。因此，华总青只能基于人道立场，要求新加坡总统宽赦杨伟光（右图右）。

最后，华总青也呼吁国人赶在8月26日的特赦大限前，上网签名支持“给予杨伟光第二次机会以增强新加坡反毒品贩运政策”。

他说：“每一个签名都是一个希望，并藉此教育我国青年毒品的危害性。”

当今大马：杨伟光真心悔改“死罪可免”，华总青促新国总统开恩赦免

风云时报：“死罪可免，活罪难逃”吁宽赦杨伟光