Jakarta – Executive Office of the President appreciated the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their responsive acts to striving the Indonesian citizens to be free from the death penalty following the legalization of the abolition of Malaysia’s Mandatory Death Penalty last March.
As is known, there are 157 Indonesian citizens in Malaysia facing the death penalty, either in process or already binding. Since the legalization of the abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty in Malaysia, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur has pursued 42 death penalty cases facing Indonesian citizens.
Senior Staff of the Executive Office of the President, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin assessed that the responsive act from the Directorate for Protection of Indonesian Citizens of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a form of implementing the President’s constitutional mandate to protect all the citizens. “The President always emphasizes that the state must be present for all Indonesian people, both at home and abroad,” said Ruhaini, in Jakarta, Friday (22/9).
Ruhaini said that the abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty was retroactive. So for those involved in drug cases due to ignorance, coercion, or being victims of the Crime of Human Trafficking (TPPO), efforts can be made to change their sentences. However, this also depends on the role and position of the defendant.
“If they are not part of the producing network, but solely as couriers, then the death penalty can be considered,” she conveys.
Ruhaini added that the efforts to waive the death penalty through the abolition of Death Penalty, does not mean that the Indonesian government takes over the case. However, the Indonesian government is given the authority to provide assistance and ensure the judicial process is fair and proportional, including considering the vulnerability of the workers.
“It is a concrete work and part of commitment from President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim to increase cooperation to protect Indonesian workers in Malaysia,” said Ruhaini.
Moreover, Ruhaini conveys the importance of early prevention to avoid human trafficking. According to her, all stakeholders, families, villages, sub-districts and districts need to socialize the literacy of working abroad in a safe and productive manner.
“Prevention from all communities will truly provide the state with the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad as a comprehensive and inclusive constitutional mandate,” she concluded.
Previously, the Executive Office of the President was also involved in a focus group discussion between Indonesia and Malaysia regarding the abolition of the death penalty, held in Yogyakarta, Thursday (21/9). From Indonesia, represented by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Narcotics Agency (BNN), academics, and civil organization. Meanwhile from Malaysia, represented by representatives from the Office of the Deputy of Prime Minister of Malaysia for legal affairs and legal representatives for Indonesian citizens in Malaysia.
