By executing those convicted of drug smuggling, Indonesia is choosing token scapegoating over honest self-examination to solve its illegal drug epidemic.
Abject failure is the only possible outcome of pushing the problem onto law enforcement agencies, who prey on the victims of the lucrative US$ 1 billion trade -- just as the dealers do.
The security forces vie to trade directly in illegal drugs, offer drug dealers protection at a price or, at the very least, milk suspected drug users for all they can squeeze out of them.
Judicially killing drug dealers made vulnerable by the absence of local connections or consular support, especially Africans, after sham trials where confessions are made under torture and presided over by craven or corrupt judges, only serves to deepen the malaise.
F. RICHARDSON
Jakarta
While I sympathize with the tobacco farmers, their claim that "forbidding smoking would only cause pain and suffering to the tobacco farmers" pales in significance compared to the great "pain and suffering" of hundreds of thousands who will die or become seriously ill as a result of smoking.
Consider also the many wives and children impacted by the deaths of their breadwinners and fathers.
Australian tobacco farmers were all forced to stop growing tobacco but most discovered new and more profitable crops. Irrespective of whether MUI declares smoking as haram (forbidden), in the interests of protecting the health and well-being of all Indonesians, there is a clear case for government to take the lead by helping the tens of millions addicted to tobacco - yes, it is a drug of addiction - and to discourage the young from ever taking up smoking.
Irrespective of the MUI deliberations, people's health and welfare should require no debate or deliberation -- the evidence is in. Tobacco farmers could make a greater contribution to society by growing food.
HADRIAN
Jakarta
It's about time Islam declared smoking "haram"! We followers of Isa believe that our bodies are the "temple of the Holy Spirit" of God (I Corinthians 6:19) therefore anything that hurts the body is automatically haram.
To the farmers who are dependent on revenues from tobacco crops, I say, "trust Allah" and He will provide for all your needs in a proper and halal way!
DAVE JESIT
Jakarta
Ex-governor gets 4 years -- Aug. 29, p. 1
It's heartening to read that high-ranking officials as well as former officials have been prosecuted for corruption. I'm alarmed, however, that the fines imposed tend to be minimal. A case in point: The former governor of Riau stole US$5.1 million and he was fined a mere US$21,869 and will be incarcerated for only four years.
Nothing is said as to whether or not thieves like him have to reimburse the government the amount they stole. If the law does not make thieves return their ill-gotten gains, officials will no doubt continue to steal and rob the country blind.
A fine of a mere fraction of the stolen amount will not deter many officials from their bent ways. As the saying goes, they will live fabulously for the next seven generations.
PAUL E. RANTAU
Singapore
The Corruption Court has sentenced Saleh Djasit to four years in prison for stealing Rp 4.7 billion in the 2003 procurement of fire engines for the province: A light sentence.
Senior prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan who received a bribe of US$660,000 deserved 15 years in prison.
During the drought last year that hit East Nusa Tenggara, a poor country farmer, with no money and nothing to eat, was looking for work in the "city". He took 15 metres of cable (valued perhaps at Rp3 million) from state-owned electricity company PLN from the roadside near Kupang.
He also was sentenced to the same 15 years behind bars with hard labor! Yes, the poor fellow committed theft under circumstances that are hardly comparable to the cases of Saleh and Urip. Is that equal justice for all? I don't think so.
HENRY MANOE
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
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