Reconsidering the death penalty in Indonesia's legal system

Jakarta — The narcotics smuggling case involving almost two tonnes of crystal meth, uncovered by authorities in the waters of the Riau Islands in May 2025, has reopened the debate over the death penalty in Indonesia. The tanker carrying the cargo was halted by a joint team from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut), and Customs on 21 May 2025 at around 05:05 Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Several crew members were detained after authorities found dozens of boxes containing methamphetamine hidden in various parts of the vessel. In the legal proceedings at the Batam District Court, one of the crew members was initially charged with the death penalty under the provisions of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics. After examination in court, the panel sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment, citing that he had acted only as an intermediary in the network. The verdict sparked broad discussion about the proportionality of imposing the death penalty in narcotics cases. For some, the death penalty is seen as a demonstration of the state’s resolve in fighting the narcotics trade, considered an extraordinary crime. For others, the case underscores the need for caution in imposing the harshest penalty within the criminal justice system. The debate becomes increasingly relevant when linked to developments in national criminal law and international human rights standards. In that context, the discussion about the death penalty touches not only on punishment severity but also on fundamental questions of justice, effectiveness, and the protection of the right to life.