Jakarta, March 7 (Antara) - The Indonesian government through its
National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has stepped up its fight against drug
abuse, which has reached an alarming level in the country.
If left unheeded, narcotics trafficking in the country will destroy the future Indonesian generations.
Based on a survey conducted by the BNN and the University of Indonesia,
about 70 percent of drug addicts are members of the younger generation.
Now, at least 4.5 million Indonesians are drug addicts.
According to the BNN's data, the prevalence of drug addicts in
Indonesia continues to reflect an upward trend. In 2008, the number of
drug addicts was pegged at 3.3 million.
It rose to 4 million in 2011 and in 2015; it is expected to touch 5.1
million, or about 22.17 percent of the Australian population which in
2013 had reached 23 million.
However, Indonesia is facing challenges in its efforts to fight drug
trafficking. It has also encountered resistance from abroad, when it
meted out punishment, particularly death penalty for big time
traffickers.
As drug trafficking involves big time drug dealers from overseas,
Indonesia has been handing out harsh punishment and ordering executions
that have been opposed by other countries.
The execution of virtually all drug convicts given the death penalty in
Indonesia is a matter of law enforcement, similar to the execution of
terrorists, who are required to fight crimes that threaten the lives of
people.
In keeping with this belief, Indonesia has to be consistent and firm
with regards to upholding its legal principles without bowing down to
political or diplomatic pressure.
However, as the convicts on death row include foreign nationals as
well, Indonesia is facing resistance from their countries of origin.
Therefore, the execution of these convicts could result in strained
relations with their countries of origin.
In spite of this possibility, analysts believe the strained relations
will only last temporarily. Yet, it could affect the political influence
and sovereignty of the country.
The
Indonesian government's plan to immediately execute 10 death row
convicts, which includes foreigners, two of whom are Australian
nationals Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, has been criticized,
particularly by Australia
Indeed, Indonesia had taken a harsh
stance against drug dealers in January, when the government of President
Joko Widodo recently executed six convicted drug dealers placed on
death row.
Besides one of its own citizens, the convicts belong
to Malawi, Nigeria, Vietnam, Brazil and the Netherlands. The executions
have prompted Brazil and the Netherlands to recall their ambassadors in
protest.
Amidst the protests, Indonesia will soon execute 10 other convicts
sentenced to death, including nine drug convicts, two of whom are Andrew
Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
The two Australians were members of the 'Bali Nine' drug ring, a group
of drug traffickers who were nabbed on April 17, 2005, in Bali while
trying to smuggle out 8.3 kilograms of heroin worth Rp40 billion to
Australia.
The Attorney General's Office had earlier released a list of 11 inmates
on death row consisting of three murder convicts and eight drug
offenders.
The three murder convicts are Syofial, alias Iyen bin Azwar, Harun bin
Ajis, and Sargawi, alias Ali bin Sanusi. They are all Indonesian
citizens.
The eight drug convicts are Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso (Filipino); Myuran
Sukumaran, alias Mark, (Australian); Sergei Areski Atlaoui (French);
Martin Anderson, alias Belo (Ghanaian); Zainal Abidin (Indonesian);
Raheem Agbaje Salami (citizen from Cordoba); Rodrigo Gularte
(Brazilian); and Andrew Chan (Australian).
However, in the latest list released by the Attorney General's Office, only 10 convicts have been placed on death row.
They are Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran from Australia, Marry Jane
Fiesto Veloso from the Philippines, Serge Areski Atlaoui from France,
Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise and Okwudili Oyatanze from Nigeria, Rodrigo
Gularte from Brazil, Martin Anderson from Ghana, Zainal Abidin from
Indonesia and Raheem Agbaje Salam from Spain.
Registering its protest, Brazil had also abruptly postponed the
presentation of credentials by the Indonesian Ambassador-designate to
Brazil, Toto Riyanto.
Following the incident, the Government of Indonesia had also recalled
its ambassador designate from Brazil until a time is determined by the
Government of Brazil for the presentation of his credentials.
The planned execution of the convicts has also led to Australian Prime
Minister Tony Abbott issuing a warning to Indonesia.
He was quoted by ABC as saying that his government "will find ways to
make its displeasure known if the executions are carried out."
The
Australian Prime Minister also wants Indonesia to remember Australia's
generosity when the deadly tsunami hit Aceh in 2004.
However, so far, there have been no signs of Indonesia bowing to the
pressure by canceling the execution, even if the Australian government
offers an exchange of prisoners.
President Joko Widodo is resolved not to pardon narcotics convicts and
to maintain a firm stance with regards to the efforts made to fight drug
offenses, which he views as dangerous and serious.
"I have stressed that I will not pardon drug convicts who have been
sentenced to capital punishment," the President has stated.
According to law expert, Dr. Atip Latipulhayat of Padjadjaran State
University (Unpad), Indonesia's consistent stance on executing convicted
criminals on death row, including those found guilty of drug offenses,
is legitimate because it is explicitly stipulated in the country's legal
system.
Therefore, foreign governments, including Australia, must respect
Indonesia's sovereignty, he stated, adding that Canberra, however, had
the right to defend the lives of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan by
officially requesting for a pardon.
International relations observer Honest Doody Moelasy of Jember
University emphasized that the Indonesian government must be firm in
implementing the execution of the 'Bali Nine' drug convicts.
"The
execution might impact relations between Indonesia and Australia, but
the strained relations will only last for a short period of time. It is
believed that their relations will improve because Indonesia holds an
important position for Australia," Moelasy remarked.
The
Central Java police have assigned 140 personnel as members of the
firing squad tasked with carrying out the execution order for the ten
convicts in Nusakambangan.
"We are ready," Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Nur Ali said on Friday.
Out
of the 10 convicts, nine are currently lodged at Nuskambangan Island,
Cilacap, Central Java, where the execution is expected to be carried
out. The remaining one, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is still being kept in
the Wirogunan Prison, Yogyakarta, because a judicial review of her
status is still underway.***1***
(T.A014/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.A014/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 07-03-2015 18:12:5 |
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