Patten urged to plead for trafficker's life

THE Governor, Chris Patten, due to visit Singapore today, has been asked to raise the fate of a Hong Kong man facing execution in the island republic.

Drug trafficker Daniel Chan Chi-pun, 38, is to be hanged on Friday.

His Singapore lawyer Spencer Gwee said he hoped Mr Patten would make a last effort to save him from the gallows.

'It is a deserving case, and a personal plea by the Governor during his visit is one avenue that is still available to us,' said Mr Gwee.

During his two-day stay, Mr Patten will attend a world business forum.

He will meet Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Brigadier-General Lee Hsien Loong.