President upholds death sentence for drug dealers

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite protests from both international and national human rights groups, President Megawati Soekarnoputri reasserted on Sunday her support for the death penalty for drug dealers.

Speaking during the launch of a national campaign against drug abuse and trafficking here, Megawati said a maximum punishment was necessary due to the imminent danger of drug-related crimes among youth.

"Due to the great dangers of drug abuse that has threatened our younger generation, I will uphold the capital punishment for all drug-related crimes," Megawati said.

Megawati has rejected requests for pardons from convicted drug dealers.

Last month saw the execution of Indian national Ayodhya Prasadh Chaubey, who was convicted in 1994 of smuggling heroin into the country. Thai nationals Saelow Praset and Namsong Sirilak, who were also convicted in connection with the case, are on death row, after failing in their appeals for a presidential pardon.

Megawati said she had rejected dozens of appeals from convicts sentenced to death for drug-related crimes as a deterrence to the increasing cases of drug trafficking.

District courts across the country, particularly those of Tangerang and Banten provinces, have sentenced 27 drug dealers to death within the past year.

The 1997 law on narcotics stipulates a maximum death sentence for drug-related crimes, but cases of drug abuse have been on the rise over the last five years.

According to the latest survey from state-owned University of Indonesia, 3.9 percent of children have tried drugs.

"Drug-related criminals account for half of all criminals we arrest now," National Narcotics Agency chief of operations Comr. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said before the launch of the campaign.

In her speech, Megawati also warned of drug trafficking, which had reached youths in rural areas.

In addition, she expressed her concern that drug abuse was also found among elementary school students.

"We have to raise community awareness and commitment to the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. Just say no to drugs," Megawati said.

About 12,000 people attended the launch of the national antidrug campaign at Bung Karno stadium, Central Jakarta, including representatives of various community groups and non- governmental organizations.

Two popular rock bands, Padi and Dewa, performed at the event, and educational videos on the dangers of drug abuse were shown.