Death sentence deters drugs dealers

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