18 May 2007
Jakarta: Around 109 Indonesian citizens are now facing heavy criminal penalties in Malaysia. According to Eka Suripto, spokesperson of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, seven of them have been sentenced to death by hanging by the Malaysian District Court and the remainder were waiting for their trial process. “We're still looking for data to give legal support,” he said when contacted by Tempo yesterday (17/5).
The seven Indonesian citizens were Mardani Bin Dadeh, Tarmizi Yakob, Bustamam bin Bukhori, Nasruddin bin Daud, Parlan bin Dadeh, Azhar bin Nurdin and Mustaqim bin Hanafi. Most of them lodged appeals, but were rejected. Those who are facing the death penalty for the narcotics (marijuana) are from Aceh. They were convicted as violating Article 39B of the Dangerous Herbs Law.
In the meantime, the remaining 102 Indonesian citizens were still waiting for the District Courts' trial process in several states of the country.
Regarding the sluggish legal aid from the Indonesian Embassy, Eka explained this was related to complaints from Indonesian citizens or the respective institutions in Malaysia. “Notification or complaints that came to the Embassy are often late,” he said.
Head of the National Agency for Indonesian Overseas Placement and Protection, Jumhur Hidayat, confirmed that 109 Indonesian citizens were not registered as Indonesian overseas workers (TKI). Thus, his side is not authorized to handle their cases. “If only one of them is a TKI, the report must be submitted,” he said.
DWI RIYANTO AGUSTIAR
