S’pore Executes 39-Year-Old M’sian | Singapore Executions 2025

When I woke up to the headline “Singapore executes Malaysian drug trafficker”, I froze. I’ve always admired Singapore, which is actually one of my favorite countries in the world because of how it turned itself from swampland into one of the cleanest, safest, and most efficient societies in the world. But in moments like this, I’m reminded of the steel hand behind the beauty. No pain no gain.

This particular execution hit me differently, not because I knew the man personally, but because I’ve walked Singapore’s streets, talked with its people, and experienced the system that produces both awe and fear.

What Happened

The man executed was named Datchinamurthy Kataiah. He was a 39-year-old Malaysian who was convicted for trafficking nearly 45 grams of her*in way back in 2011. His case dragged on for over a decade, with multiple appeals and legal stays. In fact, there was even a point where it seemed he had escaped the gallows because his execution got postponed amid human rights outcry.

But on September 25th, 2025, the inevitable came. He was executed at Changi Prison. His execution made him the 11th person executed in Singapore this year alone. The speed with which his final appeal was dismissed, and then the sudden execution carried out, has been described by activists as both “unforgivable” and “cruel”.

K. Datchinamurthy, the Malaysian man whose 2025 execution in Singapore has reignited global debates on justice, mercy, and the death penalty.

Singapore’s Strict Drug Laws

Here’s the thing a lot of people don’t know about Singapore. The drug laws governing this country are absolute. If you’re caught with a certain quantity of drugs, the death penalty is mandatory. Hanging remains the method of execution.

Singapore has long defended its tough stance on illegal drugs as an extremely necessary deterrent. Leaders argue that strict laws keep the nation safe, especially given its geography as a regional hub. And on the ground, you do feel the safety whenever you find yourself in Singapore. You don’t walk around worried about pickpockets or gangs. But executions like this remind you that safety here comes at a very high price. I guess in life you can’t have your cake and eat it or is rather the other way around?

My Personal Reflections

When I first traveled to Singapore, I was struck by how orderly everything was. Jaywalkers get fined. Smokers are regulated. Even chewing gum is restricted. You spend a few hours here and quickly realize the country values order above all else. But what happens when order and mercy clash?

Reading about Datchinamurthy’s execution, I couldn’t help but think of the human side. This was someone’s son, someone’s family member. Yes, he broke the law in a very grave way, but after more than 10 years of appeals and legal wrangling, I couldn’t help but wonder what society truly gains in finally taking his life. But the answer to that isn’t far away – it actually lies in Singapore’s unshakable belief that the death penalty serves as a very strong deterrent.

DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

For Singapore, the message is simple and brutal at the same time: if you bring drugs into this country, you risk your life. I still remember it vividly from my very first trip to Singapore back in 2020. The moment I stepped off the plane at Changi Airport, there it was – bold, red letters staring me in the face: “DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER SINGAPORE LAW.” You can’t miss it. It’s positioned in such a way that every arriving passenger sees it before they even begin to enjoy the beauty of the airport.

That’s how seriously Singapore takes this. The warning wasn’t tucked away in fine print or hidden somewhere in an immigration form. It’s the very first thing the country tells you as a foreigner: welcome, but don’t even think about bringing drugs here.

I believe the government wants that warning to echo across borders, reaching not only potential traffickers but also the countless young men and women who might be tempted into the trade. To them, every execution is not just about punishing one individual but about planting fear into thousands of others who might otherwise take the same path.

And you walk through Singapore, you can actually feel the effect of this philosophy. Unlike many developed cities around the world, you don’t see the open drug markets, the addicts slumped on sidewalks, or the casual acceptance of narcotics. The order, the safety, and the discipline that Singapore is known for are, in part, built on this foundation of zero tolerance.

At what cost?

Still, as powerful as this deterrent effect may be, the question lingers: at what cost? Does the fear it instills justify the irreversible act of taking a life? Or could the same order be achieved through sentences that reform rather than end? Personally, I think the government has no other option. Singapore is a tiny nation surrounded by regions where drug syndicates thrive, and any softness on this issue could easily destroy the entire country.

Singapore is stunning and secure, thanks to its strict laws.

How many executions has Singapore carried out in 2025?

As of September 2025, Singapore has carried out 11 executions, , most of them for drug trafficking offenses. Here are some of the known cases so far this year:

Comparisons and Contrasts

Coming from Ghana, I’m no stranger to tough realities. But Ghana doesn’t execute people for carrying drugs. Even the United States reserves the death penalty for murder cases, not narcotics. But then again, we’ve seen how the drug menace has totally destroyed America and turned it into one of the most dangerous developed societies in the world. Many even say the U.S. has already lost the battle against drugs. Cities plagued by drugs and rising crime rates show us what happens when a society can’t get the problem under control.

Public Reactions to the Execution of K. Datchinamurthy

The execution of Malaysian national K. Datchinamurthy in Singapore sparked a heated debate online, reflecting the deep divide on capital punishment.

On one side, many users expressed outrage, arguing that no government should ever have the right to take a human life. Some saw the act as a lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity, calling Singapore a society “with no soul” for continuing with executions in the modern era. Critics emphasized that this law, rooted in the time of Lee Kuan Yew, feels outdated today and should be replaced with more progressive reforms.

On the other hand, others strongly defended the decision, pointing to the devastating impact of drugs on families and society. They stressed that Datchinamurthy knowingly broke Singapore’s well-publicized laws and that leniency would only embolden traffickers. Supporters of the death penalty argued that strict enforcement protects the country’s future by deterring drug smuggling, even drawing comparisons to the rise of vaping as proof that substances can quickly destroy lives.

Singapore Travel Tips from My Own Experience

For those of us who travel, it is easy to get swept up in the shiny side of Singapore. The malls, the hawker centers, and the rooftop infinity pools can make you forget that beneath it all is a system that does not play games. The laws here are strict, and they mean business.

At the same time, Singapore is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Like I said earlier, it remains one of my favorite destinations in the world. The city feels like a perfect blend of order, culture, and modernity. That beauty and efficiency, though, are made possible by rules that are enforced without compromise.

If you are visiting, my advice is simple. Remember to always respect the rules, even the ones that do not make sense to you at first. In Singapore, ignorance will not save you, and mercy is not something you can count on. It is part of what makes the country so safe, but it is also what makes it unforgiving.

Tips for Visiting Singapore

• Mind the chewing gum rule: Gum is restricted and only available for medical purposes. Leave it at home to avoid problems.
• Respect smoking zones: You can only smoke in clearly marked areas. Lighting up outside of them can land you a fine.
• Public transport etiquette: No eating or drinking on trains and buses. It is a small thing, but they enforce it seriously.
• Stay clean: Littering, spitting, or not flushing public toilets can get you fined. Singapore’s spotless streets do not happen by accident.

I also have to say this: there are so many misconceptions and flat-out lies about Singapore out there. I have seen people online describe it as a police state, lifeless, or even robotic. None of that matches my experience. Once you are here, you realize just how alive, colorful, and welcoming the country is. So my advice is, do not believe everything you read. See Singapore for yourself.