Letter: On the death penalty

I agree wholeheartedly with the thrust of the article published in The Jakarta Post on July 7 titled “Indonesia must abolish death penalty, show mercy”.

I watched President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on television recently answer a question from a French journalist on the death penalty.

I found his answer disturbing because of its meanness and vindictiveness. The translation that came up on screen had him say words to this effect: “I take a very dim view of people requesting me to show clemency with regards the death penalty for foreigners who commit crimes in Indonesia.

“Why should I show clemency when our brothers and sisters are not shown clemency by other governments? If our people are going to be executed overseas then we will execute foreigners here. That is why I invariably refuse to show mercy.”

What struck me was the pettiness of this reply from someone who considers himself a world statesman. It only takes a few seconds reflection to realize how illogical it is.

If Yudhoyono and his government wish to be vindictive and claim an ‘eye for an eye’ then let them apply that standard to condemned criminals here in Indonesian prisons from countries such as Saudi Arabia that levy the death penalty on Indonesian citizens convicted in their countries.

For countries that do not have the death penalty, such as Australia, Yudhoyono and his government should return the same humane treatment.

Why kill people from countries that are showing mercy to Indonesian citizens?

As the article states, the President has an opportunity to lead in this area by setting an example - and that may require giving more than others are prepared to give for a while.

Surely this is a sign of a world-class statesman and someone who will be remembered in history as a great ‘leader’.

Yudhoyono can be remembered as someone who led the way, motivating others to follow.

Phillip Turnbull
Serpong