Shanmugam Murugesu

Shanmugam "Sam" Murugesu (Tamil: சண்முகம் முருகேசு) (c.1967 – 13 May 2005) was the Singaporean National Jet Ski Champion in 1995. He was executed for bringing cannabis into Singapore.

Biography

Shanmugam was very active in the Singaporean community. 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.[1]

In 2003, Shanmugam was arrested while crossing the Singapore/Malaysia border with 1.03kg (2.2 lbs) of cannabis. This carries the death penalty in Singapore, and he was hanged in 2005. He did not have any previous convictions except for a minor traffic offense. He was thirty-eight years old.[1]

Shanmugam was survived by his mother, twin sons, father, brother, sister, niece, and 2 nephews.[1]

References
  1. Aglionby, John. "Singapore finally finds a voice in death row protest". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2019.


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