Death sentence deters drugs dealers

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri supports the death sentence for drug dealers, who are sentenced to death by the courts.

"The President supports the implementation of the death sentence," Insp. Gen. Togar Sianipar, the head of the National Narcotics Body (BNN), told reporters on Monday following a meeting at the State Palace.

To date, there are about 20 convicts who have been sentenced to death by courts around the country but none of them have been executed, he said.

Togar regretted that the Attorney General's Office had given no explanation about the postponement of the execution.

Indonesia employs harsh sentences for drug dealers. Most of the convicts who have been sentenced to death are foreigners who attempted to smuggle drugs into the country.

Megawati, in her capacity as the head of state, has the privilege to give clemency to convicts in the death row. -- JP