Rule of law applies to all, regardless of nationality
& status: Shanmugam
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 24
October 2010 1757 hrs
SINGAPORE : Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam has
said that the country applies the rule of law to anyone, regardless
of the nationality of the person involved, his background or
status.
He was commenting on the case involving American citizen, Kamari
Kenyada Charlton, who has been charged with overstaying in
Singapore and cheating.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a community event on
Sunday, Mr Shanmugam said it is "very unfortunate" that some
comments have been made prematurely about Charlton being subject to
discrimination.
He pointed out that Singapore authorities had proceeded according
to the law.
Charlton's former lawyer M Ravi had alleged that Charlton had been
subject to discriminatory treatment.
Charlton was picked up when he was attempting to leave
Singapore.
He had overstayed and at the same time he was on an Interpol
list.
His name was on the list based on complaints that had been made
against him by authorities outside of Singapore.
It is alleged that Charlton had cheated elderly Australians through
a phone scam operation.
If convicted for overstaying, he faces a mandatory three strokes of
the cane.
The case has raised some interest in the American media, as
Charlton could be the first American to be caned in Singapore after
the Michael Fay case in 1994.
Charlton's case will be heard again on October 29.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Second Home Affairs Minister, said:
"Anyone who looks at the facts will see this is an investigative
process.
"Of course, this is from the police perspective and the police have
made clear that investigations are still proceeding, and what
charges will be proceeded with in court and whether there are
enough facts to justify any particular charge, all these are
matters which are not crystallised yet, so it is really premature
to jump to conclusions at this stage.
"We should let the process take its course and even if the charges
are proceeded with, ultimately it is up to the courts to decide". -
CNA/ms 