Singgih visits Indonesians on Malaysia's death row
Singgih visits Indonesians on Malaysia's death row
By Ridwan M. Sijabat
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Attorney General Singgih visited on Wednesday several Indonesians convicted to death by the Malaysian government for various offenses.
Singgih's visit was scheduled in the wake of reports that five Indonesian workers are currently on Malaysia's death row. He pronounced after his visit to the Podo prison, however, that they were not workers at all but criminals even before coming to this country.
"They are criminals who came to Malaysia to commit criminal actions," Singgih told reporters. He added that like other criminals, those on death row have to pay for their actions.
The attorney general said that the Indonesian press must distinguish between Indonesian criminals and Indonesian workers who go to Malaysia to improve their welfare.
Besides Singgih, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief was also in town this week to discuss with Malaysian officials various issues concerning the presence of Indonesian workers in this country.
Although the subject of Indonesians on death row was discussed during their meetings with Malaysian officials, neither Singgih nor Latief were willing to disclose whether they had appealed to the Malaysian government to commute the death sentences.
Politicians in Jakarta reacted to the news of five Indonesian workers on death row early this month by demanding that the government seek a reprieve from the Malaysian government on behalf of the convicts.
The five Indonesians have been identified as Irwan bin Iskandar, Achmad bin Moh. Noor, Halil alias Helal Saad, Parsison alias Paradiso bin Hassan and Ridwan bin Haji Ismail. They were convicted for crimes ranging from narcotic trafficking, murder and armed robbery.
Indonesian officials pointed out that eight other Indonesians have had their death sentences commuted by the Malaysian Board of Pardons. They said 12 other Indonesians are currently under prosecution for offenses which carry the maximum penalty of death.
In addition, there are nearly 1,500 Indonesians serving time in Malaysian correctional institutions, many of whom came to the country as workers.
Malaysian Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Megat Juned Megat Ayub said his government is counting on the cooperation of Jakarta to stem the tide of crimes committed by Indonesians in the country. "We are asking for the Indonesian government to send us the criminals' records," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters after meeting with Latief on Wednesday that he hoped the problems related to the presence of illegal Indonesian workers in this country would not harm the overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
Anwar stressed that Indonesian workers in Malaysia have helped with the economic development in the country. "We appreciate the contribution of Indonesian workers to our ongoing economic development.
The Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur said some 600,000 Indonesians are registered as workers in Malaysia. But officials say that for every legitimate Indonesian worker, there is one Indonesian working illegally. (rms)