Lawmaker supports death penalty

SURAKARTA, Central Java: A legislator threw his weight on Monday behind an idea to impose the death penalty for corruption convicts, saying the crime was as extraordinary as acts of terrorism.

Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Zaenal Ma'arif said the death sentence would be effective to deter people from committing embezzlement, which has been rampant in the country.

Under the prevailing anticorruption law, a convict faces a maximum life sentence, which Zaenal said had failed to stop corruption.

"Even a defendant who is found guilty of stealing Rp 10 billion in state money deserves the death penalty. We are not talking about the amount of state losses, but an effective deterrent," Zaenal said on the sidelines of a congress organized by Reform Star Party members who challenge the leadership of chairman Zainuddin MZ.

On Sunday, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid called for the death sentence for convicted state money thieves. -- JP