'The country will lose a whole generation if ...'

A number of defendants found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country through the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have been sentenced to death. The Jakarta Post asks two judges and a lawyer to comment on drugs and the death penalty.

Silvester Djuma, a judge at the Central Jakarta District Court who has imposed the death penalty to at least six defendants in drugs cases:

Strong action is needed for drug cases. I, along with other judges, have to deliver the maximum penalty. It's not because I am brave or want to be popular.

If we do not take firm action against drug dealers, the country will lose a whole generation.

I served at the Tangerang District Court before I was posted here two years ago. There are many high-profile drug cases there. Here, I have encountered drug cases too. But the cases mostly involve small quantities of low-level drugs with users as the defendants.

Andi Samsan Nganro, a judge at the Central Jakarta District Court and at the Indonesia Human Rights Court:

Since I was transferred here from a district court in Kalimantan four years ago, I have handled several drug cases. They involved a small quantity of drugs and all of the defendants were the users.

I agree with the death sentence for several serious crimes, including drug trafficking. Our country still needs it, as the sentence is aimed at deterring other members of the community from committing the same crime.

In fact, a judge must consider several things before imposing a sentence. First, he or she must be sure that the defendant has been proven guilty.

Second, the judge must be certain about the reason why the defendant committed the crime. The sentence for a defendant who sell drugs to make a profit would be different to that of a defendant who sell drugs in order to get some money to buy medicine for his or her sick child.

The third is that a judge must also consider whether the crimes affect people's lives.

I personally support the death sentence for the crime, but again, when it is committed deliberately (to make profit).

Henry Yosodiningrat, a lawyer who set up the Anti-Drugs Foundation (Granat) because his son was a drug addict:

Why do I hate drug dealers? It's not only because it affected my child. Currently, at least four million people here are drugs addicts while everyday three people die due to drug overdose.

Drugs are everyone's enemy. Drug dealing is a very mean crime which currently is connected to international syndicates that distribute drugs systematically throughout the country. It aims at destroying the country through young people as their target.

Many blame our regulations and law enforcers who are not serious in handling the issue. However, I believe we still have some law enforcers who have the integrity and commitment to eradicate drug dealing in the country.