President Nathan’s personal struggle
Joyce Lin
Lianhe Wanbao - 2 hrs 8 mins ago
<cite style="display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; ">President S R Nathan says that he struggles with clemency pleas for the death sentence.</cite>
President S R Nathan faces an emotional dilemma every time someone seeks clemency for the death sentence.
President Nathan, 87 told Lianhe Wanbao in an exclusive interview about how he deals with clemency pleas for the death penalty.
He states that in the case of drug traffickers, there is usually sufficient evidence to justify their sentence. If he pardons them, it may lead to more drug-related cases, or a rise in drug addiction.
It is inevitable that diplomatic relations get strained when foreign drug traffickers are convicted. He maintains that it is his responsibility to safeguard the interests of Singaporeans, so he is willing to take the diplomatic risk.
He takes it upon himself to explain to other countries that all criminals undergo a proper legal process before a reasonable punishment is decided upon.
President Nathan has indicated that he will not be contesting in the presidential elections this year. In his 12 years in office, he has never had differences with the ruling government.
Source: Lianhe Wanbao, 7 August 2011.
Joyce Lin
Lianhe Wanbao - 2 hrs 8 mins ago
President S R Nathan faces an emotional dilemma every time someone seeks clemency for the death sentence.
President Nathan, 87 told Lianhe Wanbao in an exclusive interview about how he deals with clemency pleas for the death penalty.
He states that in the case of drug traffickers, there is usually sufficient evidence to justify their sentence. If he pardons them, it may lead to more drug-related cases, or a rise in drug addiction.
It is inevitable that diplomatic relations get strained when foreign drug traffickers are convicted. He maintains that it is his responsibility to safeguard the interests of Singaporeans, so he is willing to take the diplomatic risk.
He takes it upon himself to explain to other countries that all criminals undergo a proper legal process before a reasonable punishment is decided upon.
President Nathan has indicated that he will not be contesting in the presidential elections this year. In his 12 years in office, he has never had differences with the ruling government.
Source: Lianhe Wanbao, 7 August 2011.