By Jesse Hogan
December 7, 2005 - 1:31PM
theage.com.au
Web links
Nguyen's message
PDF Funeral program
Thousands turned out for the funeral in Melbourne of executed drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van this morning, offering tears, hugs and applause as the coffin was removed at the conclusion of the 11am Catholic requiem mass.
Kim Nguyen, stoic upon her arrival, sobbed as her son's coffin was carried out to the front steps of St Patrick's Cathedral at 12.42pm.
She held a photo of the 25-year old Nguyen as the coffin was placed in the back of a silver hearse.
The congregation clapped spontaneously as the procession moved outside.
Nguyen's twin brother Khoa — dressed entirely in white, the Vietnamese colour of mourning — was one of the pallbearers.
"Van is not a martyr, he was not a hero," the family declared.
"But he has become dear to many because within the struggles of his short and sometimes difficult life, he learned to live only for others and with a heart of love for God, and for all the people he knew," their statement in the mass booklet read.
Father Peter Hansen, honouring Nguyen's final request, asked the congregation of more than 2000 to hug each other at the communion part of the mass, instead of the customary handshakes.
People began entering St Patrick's before 9.30am for the Catholic requiem mass, with guests filling the cathedral by the time it began to the strains of Amazing Grace.
Hundreds of guests stood in the aisles once the cathedral's 2000-capacity pews were filled, while others stood outside listening to the temporary public address system.
Nguyen's lawyers Lex Lasry, QC, and Julian McMahon — both of whom visited him on death row last week — attended the service, as did Father Peter Norden, who officiated at a prayer vigil for Nguyen last week.
Nguyen's close friends Kelly Ng and Bronwyn Lew both read eulogies during the mass, as did his Singaporean friend Goldgan Ng and Mr Lasry.
Mr Lasry told the congregation that Nguyen grew spiritually during his time in jail, with his selfishness giving way to selflessness.
"Over the three years I knew Van I saw a change in him that I had never seen before," he said.
Fr Hansen, alternating between English and Vietnamese, conceded Nguyen's life was "not always virtuous", but said he was remorseful and deserved to live.
At times, he referred to Nguyen as Caleb — the name he took when baptised in Singapore's Changi Prison.
He also reaffirmed the church's opposition to the death penalty, and rebuked those who said Nguyen was "not fit" to have a funeral service at St Patrick's.
Nguyen's final journal entry, written two hours before his death, was also printed on the last page of the prayer book.
"It is now my 11th hour. My work here is done now. Pray, may I not have failed you completely and by the grace of God may you find strength and comfort in these words my heart now speaks to you my brothers and sisters," the entry read.
"Fear not, my brothers and sisters. Fear not."
Kim Nguyen thanked all the priests involved in the service before the coffin was driven away.
This was all done in silence, despite the hundreds of onlookers.
Nguyen was arrested at Changi Airport in possession of almost 400 grams of heroin in December 2002.
He was hanged in Singapore on Friday after extensive appeals for clemency were rejected. His body was flown back to Australia on Saturday.
Nguyen will be buried in a private ceremony.
21 comments:
It is crazy to humanise a drug trafficker. In Singapore faces of drug traffickers are not allowed on posters or publicity material. No one cares about Singaporeans hanged and no sympathy is given to them or their families. This is the Singapore way of treating traffickers.
These Australians who want to treat a dead trafficker with respect and dignity says alot about them as a society. It is a society that is weak. This type of thing will never happen in Singapore. We have no time and energy for people who seriously break the law - we just hang them and this makes our society better than Australian's.
Shame on you. Not every singaporean like you who talk like an uncivilised creature. Indeed, we don't have such time and energy for you rather.
Oh my god. I can't believe someone would be so cruel. Is this the second millenia yet, my fellow countryman (inferred from your big ego)???
Tells a lot about yourself, not giving respect and dignity to your fellow human being who has just made a big mistake You are the one who is weak, and stupid too.
Do you think this is the act of a strong society? You have been brainwashed by the PAP for too long. You're another of those uncompassionate, unthinking, bitter Singaporeans. Good luck to you. May retribution and karma get to you :)
Let me reply to both of you.
The Straits Times has already explained that Australians are emotional people and that the PAP govt has been perfect above board and rational in its approach. For the Australian media and people to support a convicted criminal and to show sympathy to him is an attempt to undermine Singapore's just and fair legal system. What would have made more sense is for the Aussie govt, media and people to abandon Nguyen once he is convict - this is what the Singapore media, people and govt would do if a Singapore is convicted overseas. This would have saved Australia alot of pain and wasted effort.
Australia has alot to learn from Singapore. There are more efficient ways of handling things.
let me reply to u.
u're a dumb nut who believes whatever the straits times publish. go get a brain. singapore's legal system is neither just nor fair, it's just plain crap. btw i just hope singapore abandons u once u've outlived your usefulness, i.e. completed your ns and reservist and become old. don't forget, the govt only cares about the elites.
australia has nothing to learn from a piece of nose-shit. if u want the most efficient way to handle things, just use the death sentence for every single crime including theft.
Efficient is not a way to be cold and unemotional - Working like robots.
If you want real efficient and deter drug abuse, I advocate death penalty for drug addicts.
Now, isn't that a far more efficient and useful deterrent of drug abuse?
Lol, anonymous 9:15pm... You have pointed out so correctly, its laughable! I just realised too... He quotes the Straits Times! Any intelligent being knows that the Straits Times is government-controlled and ONLY speaks in favour of PAP and paints for them, the rosy, happy life of Singaporeans, so as to keep people like you satisfied, happy, and not asking for change and progress.
Yes, Yes "PAP govt has been perfect above board and rational in its approach". Of course of course, satisfied with the reply? Proud of your government for its "commendable" actions? Go vote for PAP! Elections are coming!
You say, "this is what the Singapore media, people and govt would do if a Singapore is convicted overseas."
It does that because the PAP wants to preserve its image of being clean and efficient and thus tries very hard to disassociate themselves with Singaporean criminals abroad. Even in Singapore itself... Litter? Fine. Smoke at bus stops? Fine. Chewing gum? Fine. Bring drugs to feed our addicts? Die. Anything that threatens to tarnish its clean image would be dealt with severely. Poor Singaporeans (us). It's all about their face, they're willing to sacrifice us for their face.
Of course, if Singaporeans aren't even treated like first-class citizens in their own homecountry (NS, FT policy, fear, no free speech), why would they be treated any better overseas? Haha...
"These Australians who want to treat a dead trafficker with respect and dignity says alot about them as a society. It is a society that is weak. This type of thing will never happen in Singapore. We have no time and energy for people who seriously break the law - we just hang them and this makes our society better than Australian's."
It's reeking of nationalism once again! I wonder how one could walk into another country without feeling embarrassed knowing people advocating Nguyen's hanging holding this type of justification bear the same emblem on their passport. One who agrees that a premeditated murder by the State is something to be proud of that makes your society better over the other. This sentiment shows how disillusioned such nationalists are from the act of killing and their ease to dismiss the value of human life. Loosely quoting Eisenhower on D-Day, even when death is necessary for a greater good, one can never solemly justify the cost nor take pride in it. It's typical nationalism to take pride in a society that prefers ignorance over compassion.
Frankly, I would still respect pro-death Singaporeans if not all of them beared such nationalist sentiments.
Note that when Singapore hanged a Dutchman for a similar offence, he wasn't glorified by the Netherlands. Nor was Michael Fay feted as a hero (unless you consider appearing once on Larry King Live as such) on his return to the States after having gotten 4 strokes of the rotan and 4 months imprisonment for his vandalism spree.
Oz glorifying someone who committed a serious crime in an Asian state should come as no surprise. It is a country that was built on convicts, and the sympathy often resides with the criminal than the victim: excuses are often advanced to explain away why some bloke committed a crime. Aussies take great pride in their convict history. It has often been used as their nationalistic rallying cry to demonstrate how distinctive that country is as against others (that's why their latter-day immigration policy is one of the meanest and stingiest of any country, big or small). Ah, but then to some, that kind of nationalism is of course accepted. It would be, wouldn't it?
I've been following Nguyen's case with interest in the Australian media and was surfing around to see Singapore people's sentiment. Surprisingly, not many have very strong opinions, though I did find one who tried to view issue logically, albeit from a christian stand point.
I guess it's always difficult to argue about right and wrong without an objective reference.
robbing someone of his life in cold blood with a lame excuse of protecting the country('s image being the true reason) is 100% WRONG!!!
i curse the hangman and all relevant authorities with the worst possible retribution.
How Ironic! People who advocate with such passion for respect of human rights and freedom of speech constantly lashing out at others with a different view. Just so that one felt that humanizing a drug courier is crazy, one will be called "brainwashed", nut, pro-PAP, etc... Is this not belittling others? Well, democracy is bulit on the pillar of consensus. It seems to me that you people here are a minority that are too full of yourself to accept other's view. And do remember that consensus is based on popularity and not rationality, so should you think that your view is being rational, why it simple doesn't count.
human rights r human rights, as fixed as 1+1=2. freedom of speech? well u CAN say your stuff, but we also can rebut u - it's not like only we r insulting/attacking u and u aren't doing the same, so the playing field is fair, what the hell r u complaining about?? and we don't think think our view is being rational, we can support it with our arguments, which the opposition cannot win against and that's why the straits times will not publish them cos it's AFRAID...get it now stupid??
Why all the debating and fighting over whose view is right and who is wrong?
If majority of those blogging this website share the same view in opposition to anon 4.08, then anon 4.08 why make yourself so unhappy to continue reading others' comments? Wouldn't it be better to go and enjoy reading your happy news in other websites for the benefit of all parties?
yes indeed, just be satisfied with your straits times and subscribe to both online and print version...
this blog should do the opposite of what the straits times is doing so as to balance out, by becoming more biased and reducing opposing comments even further, especially publishing only those badly written or weak-sounding ones.
y give patriots so much freedom of speech here when the straits times is already available for their pro-s'pore cheers and praise? we need to save the space for more of our own voices.
"Contributions are welcomed from all regardless of your political persuasion."
Please see the blog profile. Equality and free speech are welcome to all. If not, we'd be no better than government-controlled media. Opposing views can be respected.
And anon 4.08, don't kid yourself. Singapore is not a democracy. The consensus is not decided by popularity. It's decided by the ruling party that is the PAP. And what view is it exactly that we are suppose to accept? That we should all pride ourselves in the hanging of a 25-year old man and proclaim ourselves a better society than Australia's?
Minority we may be. But at least we aim to be better than a government-controlled media that chooses not to accept a minority's point of view.
clyde, you familiar with the concept of utilitarianism? The greatest good for the greatest number. I'm an ethnic minority in Singapore. I recognise Singapore's many flaws, but I also recognise its virtues too: the virtues may not be many but they are enough and significant for me to stay put here for the foreseeable future. I've travelled the world over, and had intended one day that I would emigrate to some greener pasture. However, the last few years the world has become a markedly more brutal and nasty place, and the Singapore to which I was born and raised looks less flawed and deficient by comparison. You talk about the virtues of the minority view expressed in this blog, but I'm sorry to say that the views I've seen expressed here over many weeks have been pretty much repetitive and, with few exceptions, not very sophisticated. They are simply garden variety kinds of arguments. In many instances, factual errors, whether deliberate or otherwise are advanced. The mainstream media is definitely very flawed, but I can't see any of you lot here being able to lift its game one iota. This is not intended to offend. Anyway, other than the less-than-insighful comments to each article, this blog does have one use for me: it brings together many articles and opinion-editorials to one place, and which I would otherwise miss. Thanks.
Threadbare, first it's important to note that this is a blog and that mass media holds far more ability to report facts. Whether it chooses to report its entirety is a different issue. As you probably will notice, most articles here are from other online sources. And should anything indeed be 'factually wrong', we invite you to submit your scrutiny with an alternative source or even a self-authored article.
Yes, there has been a somewhat "repetitive" posting of death penalty related articles. But all in the name of providing as many sources of information as possible. Perhaps others feel the thirst for more information on such a severe issue as the death penalty in light of Nguyen's hanging. But I highly doubt that such views against the death penalty are any less sophisticated than an argument consisting of "I will not be intimidated!" or "get lost from our country".
A final note is that I'm sure no one is denying that Singapore has some excellent qualities. We tend to highlight what the ST won't. Because what point would there be of giving the same side to a story. We do recognise Singapore's qualities but yet you admit that they are somewhat inadequate motivation for you to remain here in the long term. So how are these 'virtues' for the greater good if Singaporeans alike felt discontented to remain in the future? No society is perfect, including Singapore. Are we toadd up points for each country and then choose which to live in? Home is ultimately where the heart is. But I believe for some, it is increasingly hard to find that here as they grow more distant from the policies in which their country stands for. Lee Sien Loong talked about creating discompassionate citizens amongst muslims by the Seditious Bloggers, yet their policies have literally isolated gays and lesbians as a social outcast. This is just one minority amongst others that face rejection by their own country everyday. How much longer before Singapore has to face consequences for ignoring such minorities?
Utilitarianism..... :)
Quite right. Singapore does seem to operate by utilitarian principles, but the following example should be carefully examined:
If the true purpose of hanging someone is to deter future drug trafficking, then imagine that there is an innocent man that people percieve as guilty, and there is a guilty man that people perceive as innocent. The pragmatic thing to do would really be to hang the innocent man and release the guilty man. Would this really be what you would do? Think carefully.
A lot of strange events can happen inside remand for which the possible explanation is that, well, maybe not all the people behind bars are in there facing a charge sheet. Or if they are, they are vulnerable to persuasion to become the means to ends to which they may never get their rewards (as there is no legal binding contract). It's like "spies" - who do not come under the Geneva Convention for POWs. It is not what you get fed from projects like the 'yellow ribbon hogwash'.
Take me for instance. This was the second time I've been arrested, and I was more discerning so to speak. I learnt from prior experience.
This guy purportedly accumulated lots of pills which he took two days later on purpose and wasn't exactly dead when he was stretchered out of the cell. I thought then, good riddance, yes?
A couple of days later he was back, and he seemed able to choose which cell he wants to go to. He became very talkative, behaving like an investigating officer interrogating the other cellmates' one after the other (four detainees to a cell) and then back to square one repeatedly day in day out. When he got to me I always gave him the riffraff. That's me being discerning. He always ended the conversation stating almost factually that I would PG (plead guilty) without a fight. It was like some kind of brainwashing going on.
If I were to go on about what happened the next few months, it would become a book. In short, I wanted out of that cell, went to another to which peace never reigned for long either. But believe me I got provoked enough to slap a 'living vegetable' (that is, if he was not pretending to be one) that somehow became the knowledge of the whole yard. And who do you think was accusing me of being a bully all over the yard?
You got it. The joker who took those pills. How did somebody in another not nearby cell came to know of what wasn't common knowledge? The answer became clear when, after a quick shower, I went looking, and spied the actors from the different cells in the ongoing 'drama' talking and joking together.
All this is not important. What is important was the day before the day that my trial was scheduled to begin, I was transferred back to the cell where the joker and his pills was still in residence by '12 fingers' (that is this warden that had 6 fingers on each hand). And my life was being threatened. And don't forget the irony was that I was in there on a charge of criminal intimidation.
And what happened? I was eligible to be in this block of cells because I was under the chia yeoh category. But this second time that I was arrested I had refused all the way from IMH to take my seow yeoh. And the Thai prisoner-worker in charge of 'chia yeoh detail' knew. So I rang the bell and demanded to be kept with those going to court the day after the next. That was how I managed to get peace of mind before my trial.
And it's all thanks to a barely English speaking Thai national backing me up. This is not material from a Chow Yuen Fatt and Ke Hsing Tze B-grade prison clip OK? At least Chow Yuen Fatt movies don't have two cellmates rubbing their groins together in the middle of the night next to me!!!!! (I believe the whole thing was staged for my benefit. What's the fun in rubbing groins? If they were serious, they would be poking ass.)
Then there is Kelvin Lim whom Sinnathurray (spelt incorrectly?) sentenced to 40 years for sodomy (spelt incorrectly?). The first time I was in jail, the warden, on purpose, put me in his cell. Some pills I was given caused me to pass out. Fortunately for me, the son of a bitch is interested in young boys only. Before that, at the Subordinate Court's dungeon, I was beaten up by a warden, groped, as well as threatened with a oversized truncheon shoved up my rear. When I complained, everybody started removing their name tags. Unlike Abu Grahaib (spelt incorrectly?), the goons here don't have a conscience. (Well, not entirely. I met one national service policeman who would rather be jailbird than jailor. He has no reservist duty to worry about once he walks free.)
There was this guy in Changi that got an extra ten strokes of the cane for fighting. I'm not defending him on that. But it was doubled for pushing or spitting at the warden. No amount of panadol could help him after that.
What I want to say here is I don't want to see the death sentence abolished just yet. If the opportunity ever comes around, I want to have the leeway to send these sordid bastards on their way. What I have in mind would make Vlad the Impaler's methods look like child's play, and Stalin an angel. Only when I'm done would I want capital punishment consigned to the history books. Even if I must do a deal with the devil, I want to be around when that day arrives.
You got that right folks. I'm not interested in being Minister for Education.
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