Death row inmate Pannir raises money for children’s home

Malaysian Pannir Selvam Pranthaman who is on death row in Singapore for a drug offence, continues to highlight issues that plague marginalised communities.

He has been consistently working to create awareness on the issue of rampant drug mule syndicates at the Malaysian-Singaporean border.

Pannir is also one of the founders of Sebaran Kasih Malaysia, a local NGO that engages with vulnerable families on issues such as poverty, crime and the death penalty.

Sebaran Kasih recently celebrated Pannir’s birthday on 31 July by sending a cake, food, and donations to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Mary in Kuala Lumpur.

“Pannir managed to raise RM2500 for the children home by requesting his friends for help.” said Angelia Pranthaman who is also the President of Sebaran Kasih.

Despite the limitations of being in Changi Prison, Pannir has used the avenue of music to create awareness on the plight of death row inmates.

He collaborated with Malaysian Singer Santesh for the song “Arah Tuju” which was released in May this year.

According to his sister Angelia, Pannir has also written a second song which will capture the history, sacrifices, and sufferings that Malaysians had to go through before Malaysia’s Independence.

This song titled “Bukan Sekadar Hikayat” will by performed by rap artist Saint TFC and is scheduled to be released in September this year.

Angelia added that Pannir takes inspiration from his favourite fictonal character Harry Potter from the fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling.

Pannir who shares his birth date with both Harry Potter and J. K. Rowling, is drawn towards the young wizards kindness and bravery.

“They have both been through traumatic experiences and have lived to tell the lessons of their journey. While Harry Potter has defeated the Dark Lord, Pannir is still fighting to defeat his demons.” Angelia added.

Pannir, 34, was convicted in 2017 for trafficking 51.84gm of heroin at the Woodlands Checkpoint in September 2014.

He was due to be executed in May 2019 but the Court of Appeal granted a stay for him to file a judicial review to challenge the clemency process.

The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on Pannir’s appeal after hearing submissions from the lawyers in April this year.