INDONESIA INTENSIFIES WAR ON RAMPANT SMUGGLING OF DRUGS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Feb 24 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that Indonesia is one of the countries victimized by illegal drug trafficking from abroad and expressed concern over the huge number of drug addicts in the country.          At a limited cabinet meeting in September 2015, President Jokowi reminded that Indonesia was facing a major challenge of drug abuse due to which the country had witnessed 50 drug-related deaths every day.       "We are entering a state of drug emergency that has to be dealt with seriously," the president stated.          Drug smuggling has also shown an upward trend as indicated by the significant number of attempts being foiled by the authorities. On Friday (Feb 23), Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Muyani Indrawati expressed concern over the influx of illegal drugs into the country.           Indonesia's customs agency, in cooperation with other related agencies, has thwarted attempts to smuggle as much as five tons of methamphetamine.

PEOPLE WARNED OF PROXY WAR IN PICC TRAFFICKING

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 19 (Antara) -  The people are being warned that the illegal distribution of paracetamol caffeine carisoprodol (PICC) that has taken its toll is part of the proxy war to weaken the resilience of the nation.          Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said rampant drug trafficking is part of proxy war that aims to destroy younger generation.          The minister made the remarks following cases where tens of teenagers were rushed to a hospital in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Province's capital, recently after taking PCC pills.          "Drug circulation has been in a dangerous level and its variants are also diverse, and we have to be more vigilant, as I think this is part of proxy war," the minister said in Jakarta on Monday (Sept 18).          As drugs, according to the minister, are part of a proxy war, they have significant impact that is aimed to destroy the younger generation. With drugs this great nation can easily be weakened.      "Illegal drugs are being used to weaken this huge and promising nation. Probably many parties are worried that Indonesia could emerge as a big nation and will be able to intimidate other parties. This assumption can be 50 percent true (the drug is distributed as part of proxy war) given the fact that this drug is mostly imported," Minister Effendy explained.          He explained the most important drug trafficking is taking place in the border area. For that, he asked the governors in the border areas to supervise drug trafficking especially through certain routes.

SPEEDY ACTION KEY TO FIGHTING PCC ABUSE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 16 (Antara) - The government has been urged to act promptly to prevent more Indonesians from falling victims to the consumption of paracetamol caffeine carisoprodol (PCC) pills.          Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives, Commission IX, Saleh Partaonan Daulay has called on the government to take immediate steps following several reports of abuse of PCC tablets that has resulted in a high victim count.          "In the last two days, the Social Media Group of Commission IX has been holding in-depth discussions on the issue. Initially, we doubted the truth, but when confirmed, it is true," Daulay noted in a short message received in Jakarta on Friday.          Daulay, a politician from the National Mandate Party, said some parents have already confirmed that their children had become victims of drug abuse.         Hence, Saleh has urged the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to take necessary steps to prevent circulation of the drug. Moreover, the drug had reportedly come from abroad.         "The distribution permit and content must be checked, and if it is dangerous, it should be immediately withdrawn," he emphasized.         According to Daulay, drugs that are not registered with the BPOM should not be circulated, let alone dangerous ones, such as PCC.

MORE SIGNS OF ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 17 (Antara) - The government's plan to upgrade the National Narcotics Agency's  (BNN's) status is an indication of its all-out efforts to fight narcotics abuse in the country.          "The president is determined to upgrade the status of BNN. The drug problem is so huge. The BNN should deal with it," Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated on Thursday (March 10).          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is committed to upgrading the status of BNN to a ministerial-level body due to the urgency to rage a battle against drug trade.          Indonesia, with a population of some 250 million, has become one of the targets of drug lords to market their narcotics. Poverty enclaves in the country are the main hubs, turning poor people into addicts and traffickers.          According to 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 four million in 2011, and in 2015, it was expected to touch 5.1 million.          In a limited cabinet meeting on September 21, 2015, President Jokowi reminded that Indonesia was now facing three major challenges: drug abuse, illegal fishing, and terrorism.          "We are now entering a state of drug emergency that has to be dealt with seriously," the president emphasized.

RI RISKS STRAINING BILATERAL TIES FOR SAKE OF DRUG WARS

By Andi Abdussalam

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.

AUSTRALIANS UNLIKELY TO BOYCOTT BALI'S TOURISM

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, March 7 (Antara) - Bali is a paradise for Australians who have so far dominated foreign tourist arrivals in the Indonesian tourist resort province.          The Bali bombings in October 2002 killed 88 Australians and 76 other foreigners. But this did not hamper the Australian tourists to come to the island of gods.  Even, Australian tourist arrivals in Bali are now on the rise again.           According to data revealed by the Central Bureau of Statistics, 991,923 Australian tourists visited Bali in 2014, an increase of 20 percent as compared to the number of tourists recorded the previous year.      Also, in January 2015, Bali recorded 85,059 tourist arrivals from Australia.          Chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) for  Bali Ketut Ardana  said Australian tourists consider Bali their second home as the island is located close to the country.

EXECUTION OF FOREIGN DRUG CONVICTS WILL AFFECT TIES TEMPORARILY

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Feb 21 (Antara) -- The execution of drug convicts given the death penalty in Indonesia is a matter of law enforcement, similar to the execution of terrorists, which is required to fight crimes that threaten the lives of people.          In keeping with this belief, Indonesia has to be consistent and firm with regard to upholding its legal principles without bowing down to political or diplomatic pressures.          However, as the convicts on death row include foreign nationals as well, Indonesia is facing resistance from their home countries. Therefore, the execution of these convicts could result in strained relations with the countries.          In spite of this possibility, analysts believe the strain in relations will only last temporarily. In this case, the problem could affect the political sphere and sovereignty of the country.         The Indonesian government's plan to execute 11 death row convicts, which include foreigners, two of whom are Australian nationals Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, has drawn resistance overseas, particularly from Australia

EFFORTS TO FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKING SHOULD BE INTENSIFIED

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 26 (Antara) -- Trafficking of narcotics in the country has turned into a very serious and dangerous problem as it has entered strategic institutions, including universities, which determine the quality and future of the nation.          At least three universities have been involved so far: In March, a lecturer of the University of North Sumatra (USU) was arrested for being in possession of narcotics. In August, police nabbed an alumnus of the National University of Jakarta (Unas) for distributing narcotics to users in the campus. Soon after, they conducted several searches and found drugs in the campus once again.          Moreover, the public were surprised when police arrested a faculty of law professor, who is also an assistant rector, of the Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, some two weeks ago.          The professor was apprehended on charges of consuming methamphetamine with two female students in a hotel room.          Chairman of the Anti-Narcotics Movement Center of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas expressed concern over the involvement of the professor in the narcotics case.

PEOPLE MUST EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN CONSUMING DRUGS

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Sept 12 (Antara) - People must be careful when consuming herbal medicines and drugs, as some already in circulation are illegal and contain inappropriate doses of chemical substances, which are dangerous to health.          The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) called on the public to purchase medicines in licensed drug stores in order to guarantee that the drugs they purchase are legal products.          Of the 3,656 illegal products confiscated by the BPOM during its operations in the June-August 2014 period, a total of 1,520 items were illegal traditional medicines, particularly herbal medicines.          Many violations have been committed, including mixing raw materials of medicines with the raw materials of herbal medicines and printing fictitious license numbers on the package of the products and circulating or selling them to the public illegally.         "The results of laboratory tests have revealed that the confiscated traditional medicines contained drug chemicals, such as paracetamol, dexamethasone, fenilbutason, and sildenafil," BPOM Head Roy A. Sparringa stated on Thursday.

PEOPLE URGED TO STEP UP FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 28 (ANTARA) - All Indonesians have been called on to 'wage a massive battle' against drugs after the arrest of 17 people on Sunday and the discovery of a new type of drug that has been in circulation across the country.          "The drug that has victimized people in all strata of the society, including politicians, artists and people from other professions, is the country's biggest enemy. Therefore, the people should wage a massive battle against it," House Speaker Marzuki Alie said here on Monday.          The National Narcotics Agency (BNN), at 4 am on Sunday, arrested 17 people, including artists Raffi Achmad and Wanda Hamidah at Raffi's home in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, for drugs abuse.       BNN deputy for prosecution Benny Mamoto said his agency had taken the 17 people into custody for questioning and examinations.  "Five of them have tested positive for drugs. We will continue to investigate the others," BNN spokesman Snr. Comr. Sumirat Dwiyanto said.          Meanwhile, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, the General Chairman of a youth wing organization of the country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, also called on all citizens of Indonesia to cooperate in preventing the circulation of drugs across the nation.

MORE EFFORTS NEEDED TO FIGHT DRUGS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, June 26 (ANTARA) - "Say no to drugs" is a slogan that portrays Indonesia's seriousness to fight drug abuses, but the  programs it has  launched so far have yet to produce any significant results while the number of drug users is increasing each year.          "Crimes and narcotic abuses are still posing  a serious threat both to the world and our country. Although we have done a lot to stop and prevent narcotics crimes, yet we still need to make more efforts to assure that Indonesia is freed from illegal drugs," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during a function to observe  International Anti-Narcotics Day in Jakarta on Sunday.          Indonesia has established a  National Narcotics Agency  (BNN) to make efforts and launch campaigns against drug abuses and illegal trafficking. Last year the BNN declared its goals to free Indonesia  from illegal drugs by 2015.          With the various campaigns, BNN  chief Gories Mere  hoped Indonesia would be free from narcotics by 2015. To achieve the goal he called for cooperation of all parties.  "BNN hopes with continued cooperation with the office of the minister for backward regions Indonesia will be free of narcotics by 2015," he said last year when  signing an agreement with  minister for backward regions Ahmad Helmy Faisal  to eradicate the circulation of drugs in poor regions.          It seems however that the number of drug abusers still continued to increase. During the function to observe world anti-narcotics day  at Jakarta's National Monument Square  on Sunday,  BNN head Gories Mere said that the number of drug users in the country has now reached 5 million.          He said that based on a  BNN survey  narcotic abuses continued to increase and in  2009 the  number of narcotic addicts 10 to 59 years old accounted for 1.99 percent of the country's population or about 3.6 million.          Their number increased 2.21 percent to about 4.02 million in 2010. Since early this year, the abuses have reached 5 million,  an increase by 2.8 percent.          According to BNN campaigner Andi Prawira, of the five million drug users, about 1.5 million are teenagers. "One third of the total number of drug users have HIV/AIDS," Andi said.          Gories even mentioned  that what had been revealed was actually like the tip of an iceberg phenomenon which continued to pose threats and affect students and other members of the young generation.          Millions of drug users in the country virtually came from various social and professional backgrounds, including artists, musicians, students, politicians, and even policemen.          As some narcotic agents of international networks have been revealed by local security personnel, Gories was confident that the circulation of illegal drugs in the country was part of international networks. International narcotic networks are operating in Indonesia, involving syndicates from, among others, Iran, Nigeria, India, China and Malaysia.          Therefore, the Indonesian government has to make more efforts to rid the country of  drug cells which could destroy the future of the nation's younger generation.          President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched the National Strategy and Policy (Jakstranas) Movement for the Prevention and Eradication of Illegal Circulation and Abuse of Narcotics ((P4GN) 2011 - 2015.          "To save us all, I hail the efforts of BNN to fight and prevent abuse of narcotics," the president said stressing that  narcotics crime is a serious and dangerous crime that needs common attention and commitment to preventing and eliminating it.          He said that narcotics destroyed the nation's younger generations, characters and society and in the long run, it will tarnish the nation's competitiveness. The president said that narcotics abuses would also prompt people to commit  other criminal acts such as robbery, theft, money laundering and terrorism.          To further intensify campaign against drugs, the President  ordered the BNN chief  to lead the (P4GN) movement which aimed to free Indonesia from narcotics in 2015. "I have ordered the BNN to lead this movement," he said.          He has also instructed the government ranks and files in Jakarta and in the region to support the BNN in realizing its determination to create "Indonesia Free Narcotics 2015."     He said if all sides were committed  and work hard together, Indonesia would be able to stop and prevent narcotics crimes which had the potentials to destroy the nation's younger generations.          In an effort to carry out the program and to free Indonesia from narcotics abuses, the President issued a six-point instruction. "We have done a lot (to stop narcotics crime) but it seems that it is not yet enough, we still have to be more aggressive," the president said.          The first point of the president's instruction to free Indonesia from narcotics in 2015 is to increase the intensity of illegal drug trafficking prevention efforts.          The second point is a request to increase regional and international cooperation in an effort to protect Indonesia so that it would not easily be disrupted by narcotics organizations. Yudhoyono also called on educators, parents and religious leaders to actively educate younger generations so that they would not be misled and involved in narcotics crimes.          The president's fourth point of instruction was directed to police and legal enforcers, asking them to actively make efforts to uncover narcotics crimes and punish the perpetrators with appropriate punishment.          The fifth one, Yudhoyono said, was that the people should become more active and have greater care.          In the meantime, the sixth point concerned common efforts to encourage narcotic rehabilitation programs and the preparedness to accept former drug addicts to return to society.***3*** (T.A014/A/H-NG/A/S012) 26-06-2011 22:21: