FM told to save Indonesians from death sentence

Marty Natalegawa                                                   JP/Nurhayati

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to take action to defend and protect hundreds of Indonesians facing death sentences in Malaysia.
 
Yudhoyono said the government had tried its best to provide legal assistance and advocacy to Indonesians living abroad.

“I personally have been taking care of this matter to ensure fairness. During bilateral meetings [between Indonesia and Malaysia], the Malaysian authorities updated me on each of the legal cases and the best solutions that could fulfill Indonesia’s expectation,” Yudhoyono told a plenary Cabinet meeting as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.

During the meeting, Yudhoyono instructed Marty to update the number of Indonesians on death row in the neighboring country.

A report from the Sabang-Merauke Circle, an NGO, says 345 Indonesian migrant workers are facing the death sentence in Malaysia.

Yudhoyono also stressed that regardless of efforts to protect Indonesians from the death penalty, the country had to respect the legal system and policies in place in Malaysia.