Shanmugam "Sam" Murugesu ( ta, சண்முகம் முருகேசு) (c.1967 – 13 May 2005) was the 1995 Singaporean National Jet Ski Champion. In 2005, he was executed for bringing

cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: ''Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternatively ...

into Singapore from Malaysia. Shanmugam Murugesu

Biography

As a young man, he served in the Singaporean Army for 8 years, when a tank accident cost him his position there. He then turned to a passion for water sports, and was the Singaporean National Jet Ski champion. He went on to represent Singapore at the 1995 IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, USA. His leg was broken when his jet ski was rammed by another competitor, and his desire to support his extended family took precedence over racing. He also suffered a severe hand injury while working as a mechanic. His love of the ocean led him to teach sailing and work for the Singapore Sports Council for four years. He also worked as a taxi driver and window cleaner. In 2003, Shanmugam was arrested while crossing the Singapore/Malaysia border with 1.03 kg (2.2 lbs) of cannabis. Shanmugam was represented by

M Ravi Ravi Madasamy ( ta, ரவி மாடசாமி), better known as M Ravi, is a Singaporean human rights lawyer and activist. Known for his work as a cause lawyer, he has served as counsel in multiple high-profile court cases in Singapore, ma ...

during his trial. He was sentenced to death on 29 April 2004. A clemency plea to the president of Singapore,

Tony Tan Tony Tan Keng Yam (; born 7 February 1940) is a Singaporean former politician who served as the seventh president of Singapore between 2011 and 2017. He did not seek for a second term as president in 2017 due to a constitutional amendment. ...

, was rejected. A last minute application to delay Shanmugam's execution was rejected by the High Court. On 12 May 2005, Shanmugam was hanged on 13 May 2005. His death inspired artistic director Benny Lim to put on a one-man experimental play, ''Humans Lefts'', to discuss the social issue of the death penalty.

Personal life

Shanmugam was divorced and had two twin sons.

References

External links

* https://www.ijsba.com ''The International Jet Sports Boating Association ''. {{DEFAULTSORT:Murugesu, Shanmugam 2005 deaths Singaporean sportsmen Jet skiers Singaporean taxi drivers 21st-century executions by Singapore People executed by hanging Executed Singaporean people People executed for drug offences Singaporean drug traffickers