Singapore may impose death penalty for kidnapping

SINGAPORE - Singapore may impose the death penalty for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking, an Indian-origin minister has said.

The penalty has a deterrent effect and will send a clear signal to drug barons about Singapore’s stand, Law Minister K. Shanmugam was quoted as saying Sunday by Straits Times.

Shanmugam said it was easy for death penalty opponents to focus on the plight of the individual who faced being hanged, but the consequences of getting rid of the death penalty had to be considered.

“You save one life here, but 10 other lives will be gone. What would your choice be if you were to make that choice?” he asked.