INDONESIA-EXECUTIONS/HOLDING-CENTRE Indonesians show support for execution of drug offenders
Record ID:
496346
INDONESIA-EXECUTIONS/HOLDING-CENTRE Indonesians show support for execution of drug offenders
- Title: INDONESIA-EXECUTIONS/HOLDING-CENTRE Indonesians show support for execution of drug offenders
- Date: 27th February 2015
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (FEBRUARY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS AND JOURNALISTS STANDING IN FRONT OF AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY IN INDONESIA SECURITY PERSONNEL STANDING IN FRONT OF THE EMBASSY AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL EMBLEM WOMAN HOLDING COINS POSING FOR PHOTO HANDS HOLDING COINS, SLOWLY DROPPING INTO BOX COINS IN BOXES PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS AND FLAGS PLACARD READING (English): "COIN FOR AUSTRALIA/NATIONAL PRIDE CAN'T BE EXCHANGED WITH KINGPIN" COMMUNICATION OFFICER OF NASDEM PARTY'S YOUTH WING, DITA ADITIA, HANDING COINS TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY COINS IN BOX WITH LABEL READING (English): "COIN FOR AUSTRALIA" (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) COMMUNICATION OFFICER OF NASDEM PARTY'S YOUTH WING, DITA ADITIA, SAYING: "We want to convey three main points; first of all (Australian Prime Minister) Tony Abbott has to apologize to Indonesia especially people of Aceh province, and he should not intervene in the sovereign right of the government of Indonesia. Lastly millions of lives lost in tsunami should not be compared with two ringleaders of a drug trafficking group. So I urge the execution of the Bali Nine to be carried out as soon as possible." PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER BANNER READING (English): "WE SUPPORT INDONESIA'S WAR AGAINST NARCOTICS/SAY NO TO ABBOTT" CILACAP, INDONESIA (FEBRUARY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF PORT TO NUSAKAMBANGAN ISLAND SIGN READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "OFFICE OF MINISTRY OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN WIJAYA PURA" PORT SHIP MOTORING OFFICE OF MINISTRY OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS SECURITY GUARD SITTING LOCAL RESIDENTS SITTING ON MOTORBIKES (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RESIDENT OF CILACAP, SIAM BADRUS SAYING: "I agree (with the death penalty), because drugs are the enemy of the society of Indonesia. The only problem is that people were sentenced to death but no punishment was carried out." PEOPLE SITTING IN RESTAURANT MAN USING LAPTOP IN RESTAURANT LOCAL RESIDENTS SITTING ON MOPED (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RESIDENT OF CILACAP, PRAYITNO, SAYING: "I think SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) was unfair because he has granted clemency to another Australian Corby. I think Jokowi (Joko Widodo) is doing really well in combating drugs." VARIOUS OF SHIP COMING INTO PORT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING OUT OF PORT VARIOUS OF MILITARY TRUCK LEAVING
- Embargoed: 14th March 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAB1PF59UMNHFKON4JIU4OLVLPV
- Story Text: Some Indonesians are expressing their support for the death penalty for drug offenders in the country, as the execution of 11 people, including seven foreigners, looms.
In Jakarta, dozens gathered in front of Australian Embassy on Friday (December 27) to show solidarity with the Indonesian government as they protested against Australia's attempts at pressuring the Southeast nation to cancel, or at least postpone, the executions.
Protesters collected five million rupiah ($385) of coins to return to Australia after Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said last week that Australia would feel "grievously let down" if the executions proceeded despite the Pacific nation donating A$1 billion ($782 million) to assist Indonesia's Aceh province after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Abbott later made an effort to conciliate by saying that his "friend" Indonesian President Joko Widodo "absolutely understand" Australia's position.
Dita Aditia, the Communications Officer of the youth wing of the political part Nasdem, reacted to the incident.
"We want to convey three main points; first of all (Australian Prime Minister) Tony Abbott has to apologize to Indonesia especially people of Aceh province, and he should not intervene in the sovereign right of the government of Indonesia. Lastly millions of lives lost in tsunami should not be compared with two ringleaders of a drug trafficking group. So I urge the execution of the Bali Nine to be carried out as soon as possible," said Aditia.
Myuran Sukumaran, 33, and Andrew Chan, 31, members of the so-called Bali Nine who were convicted in 2005 as the ringleaders of a plot to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia, had presidential clemency denied last month.
The Australian government has been pleading for mercy of the two men who have served eight years jail term in Bali, stressing that Sukumaran and Chan have been rehabilitated in prison where they mentor younger inmates.
In Cilacap, the entrance to the prison island of Nusakambangan where the next execution will take place, was quiet on Friday, and had little security presence.
Some local residents, nevertheless, expressed support in the lead up to the transfer of the inmates to the island.
"I agree (with the death penalty), because drugs are the enemy of the society of Indonesia. The only problem is that people were sentenced to death but no punishment was carried out," said a local resident in Cilacap, Siam Badrus.
Widodo, who is taking a stern approach against drug trafficking, denied clemency to 11 convicts on death row, including nationals of Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, Philippines, France and Ghana.
His decision has drawn strong opposition from several nations but has won praise from his people.
"I think SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) was unfair because he has granted clemency to another Australian Corby. I think Jokowi (Joko Widodo) is doing really well in combating drugs," said Prayitno, who goes with one name like many Indonesians.
The fate of the next execution has yet to be set but Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo said they would not be delayed or cancelled in the face of diplomatic pressure. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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