M’sian man involved in 2010 Kallang slashing executed

SINGAPORE — A Malaysian man convicted of murder over a deadly gang robbery in 2010 was executed at Changi Prison on Friday (March 22) morning.

The execution of Micheal Garing, 30, was first reported by Malaysian news agency Bernama shortly after the hanging.

“His remains are expected to (be conveyed to) Sibu on Saturday, before being returned to his hometown in Kapit," Bernama quoted a Malaysian High Commission spokesman as saying.

“We are currently assisting Micheal’s family members who are here.” 

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Micheal — who converted to Islam in prison and was also known as Muhammad Arif Sufi — was convicted of murder in 2015 by Singapore’s High Court, and the conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2017.

Micheal was part of a gang of Sarawakians that went on the high-profile robbery spree in Kallang from the late hours of May 29, 2010 to the early hours of May 30.

They severely injured two Indian nationals and a Singaporean before they set upon an Indian construction worker who died on the spot after sustaining a fractured skull, among other injuries.

Confirming the execution in a statement on Friday afternoon, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: “In its written judgement, the Court of Appeal said the death penalty was warranted for Micheal as he had attacked the deceased using the parang in a totally savage and merciless manner."

According to reports in the Malaysian media, Micheal’s parents — Ensiring Garman and Garing Kanyan — had sent a clemency petition to President Halimah Yacob on March 20, asking for his sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. The MHA said in its statement that Micheal’s petition for clemency to the President was unsuccessful.

Bernama quoted one of Micheal’s relatives as saying that Ms Ensiring and Mr 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 declined to be named in the Bernama report.

The MHA added that Micheal was “accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel throughout the process”.

“Our laws apply equally to all, regardless of whether the offender is local or foreign," said the ministry. 

"All foreigners who visit or live in Singapore must abide by our laws. The death penalty is part of Singapore’s criminal justice system and is only used against very serious crimes," it added.

“The issue of capital punishment is a question that every State has the sovereign right to decide for itself, taking into account its own circumstances.”

Another accused in the case, Tony Imba, was jailed for life with 24 strokes of the cane; while Hairee Landak was sentenced in 2013 to 33 years’ jail 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’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane in 2018. AGENCIES