The Singaporean government in December last year murdered Australian drug mule Nguyen Tuong Van. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is currently in Australia and the issue will undoubtedly be raised with John Howard.
One Singapore blogger proves the lack of independent voices in the autocratic state while writing about the visit. This comment is worth noting, however:
When Australian Nguyen Tuong Van, who was convicted in Singapore of smuggling 400 grams (14 ounces) of heroin, was hanged late last year, we made it a (very) important note not to reveal our nationality to anyone (which we quite unsuccessfully accomplished) during our stay in Melbourne during the summer holidays Down Under.
The clear implication is that Australians would have treated this individual differently had they known she was Singaporean. Would she have felt threatened? Hopefully not.