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SCMP Reporter

THERE is a young woman waiting for her own execution in the custody of the Singapore Government.

  In July, 1991, Miss Poon Yuen-chung was just 19 years of age when she stupidly agreed to carry a quantity of dangerous drugs and was apprehended at Changi Airport.

  I understand she and her companion were on their way to Europe and the drugs were not intended for Singapore.

  I do not know and have never met Miss Poon. I have no sympathy with drug pushers and with having four teenage children myself, am often fearful that they may be persuaded to try some drug out and then become addicts. But that someone so young is being condemned to die for just one act of stupidity is so tragic I feel that I must make a plea on her behalf.

  As far as I am aware she did not manufacture the drugs, nor, was she intending to sell them.

  She was just the courier, being used by the real evil people who seek to make large financial gains with no concern of the misery they inflict.

  Probably these people, the same people that used Miss Poon as a dispensable tool are still free enjoying their illicit gains.

  At only 19 years of age she was obviously still too gullible to believe she would not get caught, too trusting of the people who persuaded her to carry these drugs and still too young to fully appreciate the consequences of her actions.

  I have been very impressed with Singapore on visits there. Its success has only been made possible by the country's leaders having the people in their hearts.

  I appeal to Singapore's President, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, to look into his heart. Does he really wish to see such a young girl die because of one moment of stupidity, a moment not motivated by evil intentions but just immature, foolish greed.

  Yes she has broken the law and yes she was a part, albeit a very minor part, of an evil trade which is inflicting misery on thousands of people.

  Her companion escaped the death sentence because she was under 18 at the time, but who was actually the more emotionally and mentally mature? I cannot say, but I do know that at 19 she was probably still too young to really fully appreciate what she was doing or the consequences of those actions.

  I am pleading with the President to spare this young girl's life. Surely someone so young is allowed one mistake. I am also asking him to consider putting her into the custody of the Hong Kong authorities to serve out an agreed sentence here. As part of her sentence she could make an enormous impact on our territory's young by visiting schools etc and relating her experiences in an effort to dissuade them from either taking drugs or being persuaded, as she was, to carry the drugs for the evil manufacturers and pushers. Mr President let us make something positive out of this stupid, misguided action of hers. As a footnote I would like Mr Ong to consider the following. The tobacco industry legally kills millions of people each year, many times more than the banned drug trade. Cigarettes are more addictive than many of the so-called dangerous drugs, but just take longer to achieve their ultimate goal of killing the user.

  I praise Singapore's leaders for the stance they have taken in trying to eradicate this menace from society.

  This is being done by education, higher costs, the gradual introduction of smoke-free areas and harsher penalties for selfish offenders.

  It seems very brutal that Miss Poon should be now facing death when these murderers are able to commit their atrocities with impunity.

  I ask Mr Ong to show compassion for her misguided stupidity and to consider that it is in his power to turn this tragic incident into a life-saving occasion, not only for Miss Poon but for all the other potential drug takers or couriers she could help by relating to them her experiences.

  I await his decision. I appreciate the burden he carries having to make life or death decisions such as this.

  I also appreciate his wish to rid Singapore and even the world of the drug menace, but I believe much more can be achieved by allowing her to live and for her to use her experiences positively.

  DAVID FORD New Territories 



Please spare young girl's life