Beyond Singapore, Mr Shanmugam highlighted a 2021 study conducted in parts of the region where most of the country’s arrested drug traffickers have come since in recent years.
It showed that 87 per cent of respondents believed that the death penalty deters people from trafficking substantial amounts of drugs into Singapore.
A similar proportion – 86 per cent – believed that the death penalty makes people not want to commit serious crimes in Singapore.
Of the respondents, 83 per cent also believed the death penalty is more effective than life imprisonment, in discouraging people from bringing drugs in.
“So those who suggest that the death penalty can be replaced by life imprisonment, should look at these figures. The deterrent effects of the two penalties are very different,” said Mr Shanmugam.
“It is not easy for us… to decide to have capital punishment as part of the penalties in law. But the evidence shows that it is necessary to protect our people, prevent the destruction of thousands of families, and prevent the loss of thousands of lives.”
Mr Shanmugam said the high levels of support were due to Singaporeans’ trust in the government to do the right thing, and do right by Singapore.
“So when Mr Richard Branson comes in to argue, he doesn’t realize that we take our duty seriously, we are accountable to Singaporeans, we speak with thousands of them and we know what Singaporeans support,” said Mr Shanmugam.
The British billionaire has been vocal in his views against Singapore’s death penalty. In 2022, he made false assertions about alleged racial bias and the treatment of defense lawyers in the case of convicted drug trafficker Nagaenthran Dharmalingam.
In response, MHA invited Branson to Singapore for a live televised debate with Mr Shanmugam on the topic, but he turned it down.
“The vast majority of Singaporeans know and understand the facts and reality, and why the government says the death penalty is necessary,” said Mr Shanmugam.
