Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2015
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Penny D Herasati
Page: 8

DEATH A LAST RESORT

In response to your editorial entitled "Drug war is flagging", on Jan 
19, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok wishes to 
state the following:

1. Indonesia is now confronted by drugs and precursor abuse, an 
emergency that requires extraordinary measures. The Indonesian 
government in exercising its constitutional duty to impose stern 
actions within the framework of Indonesian laws against drugs-related 
offences which are regarded as one of the most serious crimes.

2. The execution has been imposed on anybody regardless of 
nationality based on strong legal evidence and through a judicial 
process. It is carried out as a last resort and only after all legal 
options have been exhausted, including appeals and requests for 
presidential pardons. The law stipulates that the death penalty is 
exercised in accordance with the level of the offence, such as that 
distributors, producers, and drug lords.

3. Drug-related offences pose a serious threat to the nation as abuse 
is on the rise. In 2013, there were 4.5 million cases; this number is 
predicted to rise to 5 million in 2015. We have around 4 million 
narcotics addicts; about 4.4% are 10-19 years old, 9% are 20-29 years 
old, 3.7% are 30-39 years old, and 2.1% over 40 years. They are 
abusing about 2 tonnes of heroin, 49.5 tonnes of crystal meth, 147 
million ecstasy pills and 242 tonnes of marijuana. An average of 
1,500 Indonesians die every month to drugs-related abuse.

Penny D Herasati

Counsellor for Political, Security and Legal Affairs
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom