SINGAPORE: Despite calls for clemency by the Malaysian government and Amnesty International, Michael anak Garing was executed at Changi Prison here, this morning.
The 30-year-old Sarawakian’s execution was confirmed by the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore, Bernama reported.
“His remains are expected to (be conveyed to) Sibu tomorrow, before being returned to his hometown in Kapit.
“We are currently assisting Michael’s family members who are here,” the High Commission’s spokesman said.
Michael – who had converted to Islam in prison and was also known as Muhammad Arif Sufi – was convicted of murder in 2015 by the island republic’s high court, and the conviction was affirmed by the court of appeal in 2017.
His parents – Ensiring anak Garman and Garing anak Kanyan – sent a clemency petition to Singapore’s President on March 20 of this year, asking that his sentence be commuted to life imprisonment.
According to one of Michael’s relatives, Ensiring and Garing are devastated by the news.
“I still do not want to believe (the news) despite being told the sentence has been carried out,” said the family member, who wished not to be named.
Michael was part of a gang involved in a robbery in Kallang Road here in May 2010, which led to the death of 41-year-old construction worker, Shanmuganathan Dillidurai.
Three others were severely injured.
Another accused, Tony Imba, was jailed for life with 24 strokes of the cane; while Hairee Landak was sentenced in 2013 to 33 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.
Donny Meluda, who was on the run for more than six years, was eventually captured and given a similar sentence of 33 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane in 2018.