IPOH: The body of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam who was executed in Singapore early today for drug trafficking, is expected to reach his hometown in Tanjung Rambutan here, at 11pm tonight.
Nagaenthran's close family friend who wished to be known as Mani said that Nagaenthran's mother, S. Panchalai, arrived home this morning from Singapore and was not available to speak.
"His mother arrived home this morning and only his brother is still in Singapore to make arrangements on bringing the body back.
"Give them some time (to meet members of the media). Come again this evening after 9pm to meet his mother or Nagaenthran's siblings," he told reporters when met at Nagaenthran's home in Taman Indah here, today.
At Nagaenthran's home, his family members have started arriving to pay their last respect.
Mani said the funeral is expected to take place on Friday.
"However, the venue is yet to be confirmed, either in Buntong or Bercham here," he said.
Foreign reports today said Nagen was executed earlier today (Wednesday) in Singapore after a last-ditch legal challenge by his mother had failed in a high-profile case that attracted international calls for clemency.
Nagaentharan or Nagen, an intellectually-impaired man with an IQ of 69, was on death row for more than a decade for trafficking 44 grams (1.5 oz) of heroin into Singapore, which has some of the world's toughest narcotics laws.
His brother Navin Kumar, 22, confirmed to Reuters by phone that the execution had been carried out and the funeral would be held in Ipoh.
His case had drawn the support of foreign personalities including British business magnate Sir Richard Branson as well as actor and writer Stephen Fry, who sent out a strong plea to Singapore to spare his life.