By: Jaber Ahmed *)
Indonesian Muslim Scholars Council (MUI) urged the government to immediately conduct the execution of drug kingpins. Chairman of Ganas Annar MUI (the MUI Central Committee of the National Anti-Drug Movement), Anwar Abbas stated that there is no other reason for the government to postpone the execution.
“The government should not be afraid of a foreign threats. We are a sovereign state and we have the right to determine what is best for us,” said Anwar on Thursday (12/3). He added, the government is obliged to protect the lives of the people of Indonesia from the improper behavior that caused by the drug dealers. Thus, there is no other choice but to be hard and firm against the mafia and drug felons.
Meanwhile, the most senior Islamic Cleric/Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, traveled to Indonesia on Wednesday to meet the Minister of Religious Affair, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, in order to plead for the lives of the two Australians who well known as “Bali Nine” duo, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran who are among those 10 death row inmates to be executed soon this month. Ibrahim asked Saifuddin to consider a pardon to people who declared death penalty. Nevertheless, Ibrahim explained that the visit was not a form of pressure, but rather to give other views on the issue.
“We say, we respect the sovereignty of Indonesia and do not want to interfere and would not comment on the regulations,” told the Grand Mufti to the media in Jakarta post the meeting.
Its been almost two weeks since the transfer of the 9 death row inmates to the highest security prison in Nusakambangan Island, but the execution has yet to be carried out. Attorney-General, HM. Prasetyo said there are still some shortcomings or constraints, ie, coordination, administration, and preparation of a firing squad. Whereas, the Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, informed that the execution is still waiting for the technical problems in the Administrative Court.
*) The Author Is Jakarta’s Regional Contributor