Sorry, I haven't been reading e news lately. Hence, this came as a new piece of news to me, though I realize there are already many ongoing debates about this.
SHOULD YONG VUI KONG BE HANGED?
Let me give u some background info. (dis is highly subjective as it's from my point of view.)
There was this 19yr old boy, with minimum IQ (according to experts) who had a simple and innocent wish. He wanted to hold a small celebration for his mother's birthday but had no financial means to do so.
He was then told by a big "brother" that he could help deliver some illegal "gifts" to Singapore and would be paid a small amount for him to celebrate his mother's b'dae. Though illegal, big "brother" assured him there was nothing to be afraid of, as if caught, he would just have to pay some money to the officials etc. Hence, he can keep his "salary" with full confidence, though he was specifically told not to open the bag. Therefore, a few days b4 crossing customs, he spent all his "salary' on his mother's b'dae celebration. To this innocent young boy, his mother's smile meant the world to him.
On tat fateful day, as this boy crossed the customs, he walked right into e arms of policemen and was arrested for "trafficking " 47g of heroin into Singapore. This boy is Yong Vui Kong who is now charged and face a mandatory death penalty.
I've a few issues with this case.
Firstly, I do not understand why is there a death penalty mandatory in this case? Why shouldn't e judge be given the right to assess the case and decide whether he deserves a second chance? Afterall, he is not a hard-core murderer but simply a boy who was led astray. He had no intention of harming anyone and had no idea of the drastic social consequences his actions would bring. All tat was permemating his mind was his mother's b'dae drawing near. Moreover, now he realises his folly (after he was arrested), it seems apparent tat he has repented and became a devout buddhist, whom to the extent would reject his last chance to appeal for fear of the need to lie to e court). I do not understand why after looking at e success of Glenn Lim ( an ex-drug "trafficker" who escaped the death penalty and is now the holder of Singapore Promising Youth award), we should deny this youth a second chance for him to be rehabitated & might even contribute to society in the near future. I do not understand why the judge, who seems to be the most superior person in court and the wisest (since dere r stringent criterias for a lawyer to be a judge especially a high court judge), should be powerless in court and could only tell the defence lawyer that he sympatizes in this youth tragedy but could do nothing about it but to pass the death penalty as it's mandatory. I do not understand why when we r taught from young tat e law is not void of compassion, could do nth to save dis pathetic boy. ( At 19yrs old, he's still a "boy" as he isnt considered to possess enough mental capability to vote for his leaders. But e irony is at 19yrs old, he's deemed capable of standing trials and they could hang you for e crimes u commit).
Secondly, I am not sure whether e S'pore law is fair in this case, in e sense tat it makes presumptions on e accused b4 he stands on trial. On e 1st, the law pressumes tat e boy has full knowledge of e presence of drugs in his possession. Hence, if otherwise, it bcums his responsibility to prove his ignorance. ( tell me how to prove tat, will u?) On e 2nd, it pressumes tat as long as a certain weight of drugs is found on e boy, he's pressumed 2 b "trafficking". Hence, again, it bcums his responsiblity 2 prove it otherwise. To me, dis violates international standards of innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, in such a case, is dis a fair trial? ( I don't know, but i noe if dis should be revised, it requires a chnge in e consitution).
Thirdly, I believe, besides allowing judges to have flexiblity in sentencing convicts, clemency from president should be modified so dere's a purpose 4 its insitution. The president should have his own independent assessment & decision, instead of relying on advice from cabinet. (Cabinet is the one who proposed and passed e law hence it's likely tat they wud have 2 stand by it). But e preseident should act as an ingredient of compassion, humidity & common sense, instead of following to e letter of e law. E judiary, parliament and president should b independent of 1 another. However, in s'pore, it seems everytng's lumped together. In my view, this spoils e check & balance system. I wonder whether do u tnk dis is fair 4 dis 19yr old boy?
Moreover, I do not see how sentencing tat person 2 death could solve e problem. Yes, u may say tat it deters potential criminals etc, but wouldn't causing one 2 lose his freedom 4 e rest of his life, do e same tng, keepin in mind tat e boy is already repentant. S'pore, Japan & U.S. r e onli fully developed countries in e world tat have retained e death penalty. Many states have opted 4 a more humane way out.
( Some ppl might argue tat keepin these "baddies" in prison is wasting taxpayers money. But, I wud lk 2 remind u tat it's a LIFE u r talkin abt. Moreover, i wud lk 2 enlighten u tat e cost of death penalty is almost equivilant, if not higher, to e cost of lifetime imprisonment.)
Therefore, I am confused. Is S'pore treatin Yong Vui Kong fairly? Should Yong Vui Kong be hanged?
Readers, pls seriously consider & I await views re dis issue. ( hey, u r doin GP 4 a reason. dun do it juz 4 exams, k?)
Pls give mi ur views!
6:39 PM :D
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Jollie Ng
GB
KPS
USS
Birth date: 19 Jun 92
Death Date: 1 Jan 05
Food Fanatic
Wishlist
1)Taste all good food in the workd
2)To own a successful eatery one day
3)To work hard for my 'a' lvls
4)To get into uni
5)To gain and mantain meaningful relationships
6)A wonderful birthday gift
7)Crumpler
Loves
1)Food
2)English
3)Family
Hates
1)Talkative radios
2)Studying
3)Failing subjects
4)Certain ppl
5)Routine stuff
6)Almost everyting of life except FOOD
