Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2005
Source: New Straits Times (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2005 NST Online
Contact:  http://www.nst.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3734
Author: Sim Bak Heng
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FIVE YEARS ON DEATH ROW

Lai Chaw Keong, 35, was convicted of drug trafficking in 1997 and 
sentenced to death in 2000.

Five years on, he is still languishing on Death Row.

The reason: The High Court, which convicted him, has yet to hand down 
a written judgment on his case.

Until this is done, Lai cannot appeal against the sentence.

His distraught mother, Gan Ean Yau, 53, lives a daily life of anguish 
knowing that her son is "wasting away in prison".

"This does not mean I want to see my son executed quickly," she said.

"I am just appealing for justice for my son. Being sentenced to death 
does not mean he should be deprived of his right of appeal."

Lai was convicted of trafficking 55,428.1g of cannabis in a house at 
Taman Timur here about 10.20pm on Aug 1, 1997.

He was sentenced to death at the Johor Baru High Court on Aug 29, 
2000, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Lai had filed a writ of habeas corpus at the High Court here July 5 
for his release through counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik.

In the writ, he claimed his continued imprisonment since 2000 pending 
the execution was illegal, wrong and unjust.

He also claimed imprisonment denied him a fair trial under Articles 5 
and 8 of the Federal Constitution.

In his writ, Lai asked that the High Court set him free or, 
alternatively, offer him a permanent stay of execution pending appeal.
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