Singgih visits Indonesians on Malaysia's death row<\/p>\n
By Ridwan M. Sijabat<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Attorney General Singgih visited on
\nWednesday several Indonesians convicted to death by the Malaysian
\ngovernment for various offenses.<\/p>\n
Singgih's visit was scheduled in the wake of reports that five
\nIndonesian workers are currently on Malaysia's death row. He
\npronounced after his visit to the Podo prison, however, that they
\nwere not workers at all but criminals even before coming to this
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"They are criminals who came to Malaysia to commit criminal
\nactions,\" Singgih told reporters. He added that like other
\ncriminals, those on death row have to pay for their actions.<\/p>\n
The attorney general said that the Indonesian press must
\ndistinguish between Indonesian criminals and Indonesian workers
\nwho go to Malaysia to improve their welfare.<\/p>\n
Besides Singgih, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief was also in
\ntown this week to discuss with Malaysian officials various issues
\nconcerning the presence of Indonesian workers in this country.<\/p>\n
Although the subject of Indonesians on death row was discussed
\nduring their meetings with Malaysian officials, neither Singgih
\nnor Latief were willing to disclose whether they had appealed to
\nthe Malaysian government to commute the death sentences.<\/p>\n
Politicians in Jakarta reacted to the news of five Indonesian
\nworkers on death row early this month by demanding that the
\ngovernment seek a reprieve from the Malaysian government on
\nbehalf of the convicts.<\/p>\n
The five Indonesians have been identified as Irwan bin
\nIskandar, Achmad bin Moh. Noor, Halil alias Helal Saad, Parsison
\nalias Paradiso bin Hassan and Ridwan bin Haji Ismail. They were
\nconvicted for crimes ranging from narcotic trafficking, murder
\nand armed robbery.<\/p>\n
Indonesian officials pointed out that eight other Indonesians
\nhave had their death sentences commuted by the Malaysian Board of
\nPardons. They said 12 other Indonesians are currently under
\nprosecution for offenses which carry the maximum penalty of
\ndeath.<\/p>\n
In addition, there are nearly 1,500 Indonesians serving time
\nin Malaysian correctional institutions, many of whom came to the
\ncountry as workers.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Megat Juned Megat
\nAyub said his government is counting on the cooperation of
\nJakarta to stem the tide of crimes committed by Indonesians in
\nthe country. \"We are asking for the Indonesian government to send
\nus the criminals' records,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told
\nreporters after meeting with Latief on Wednesday that he hoped
\nthe problems related to the presence of illegal Indonesian
\nworkers in this country would not harm the overall bilateral
\nrelations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Anwar stressed that Indonesian workers in Malaysia have helped
\nwith the economic development in the country. \"We appreciate the
\ncontribution of Indonesian workers to our ongoing economic
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur said some 600,000
\nIndonesians are registered as workers in Malaysia. But officials
\nsay that for every legitimate Indonesian worker, there is one
\nIndonesian working illegally. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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