'Sure, the death penalty deters criminals'

'Sure, the death penalty deters criminals'

Drug abuse among Indonesian youth has become a cause of major
concern, with studies revealing that many started to use drugs in
their early teens. Amid the debate on the application of the
death penalty to drug dealers and traffickers, The Jakarta Post
asked some residents why they support capital punishment.

Abdul Rivai, 54, is a civil servant in the Ministry of Social
Affairs. He lives in Cipayung, East Jakarta, with his wife and
two children:

I completely agree with the death sentence for anyone caught
dealing or trafficking in drugs because what are doing really
damages the nation's younger generation and their future.

And I don't think there is anything wrong with it because, as
far as I know, Singapore and Thailand also hand down the same
sentences for any crimes relating to drugs, even as little as two
grams.

Here in Indonesia, some of the convicted defendants have been
dealing and trafficking in more than one kilogram of drugs, so I
think they deserve such a sentence.

Indonesia should also not bow down to protests from other
countries concerning the death sentence because this is not their
country. We have our own laws to deal with the ever-increasing
problems of drug-related crime and addiction.

I was head of a rehabilitation center for drug addicts in
Bogor for six years, so I know exactly how devastating the
effects of drugs are. You can simply say that the minds, bodies
and future prospects of anyone who takes drugs will be
permanently ruined.

What is more dangerous is that drug addiction also destroys
their minds. Many drug addicts come from wealthy families, so
they think they can keep on spending their parents' money to
obtain instant pleasure from drugs without ever learning that
life is about hard work.

Jumadi, 30, a taxi driver, lives with his wife and son in
Cijanjur, South Jakarta:

I support the death penalty for drug traffickers because many
young people have fallen victim to drugs. Without tough sentences
for them, I am afraid that even more people will become victim.

Only a few will be able to recover through rehabilitation
programs, but many more will die of overdoses.

I believe that the death sentence could deter these criminals.

But I want to see the police and relevant agencies to play
fair, and not go easy on public figures, government officials,
politicians or their relatives.

-- The Jakarta Post