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Jokowi reminds RI of state of emergency regarding drugs
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reminded the nation in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday of the state of emergency with regard to rampant drug trafficking across Indonesia
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resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reminded the nation in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday of the state of emergency with regard to rampant drug trafficking across Indonesia.
The President made the remarks when he inaugurated Mujahidin Grand Mosque in Pontianak, urging clerics to help disseminate information about the dangers of illegal drug consumption.
"Why do I say the country is in a state of emergency over narcotics? Because the number of [illegal drug users] who need rehabilitating amounts to nearly 4.5 million people," Jokowi said.
He further disclosed that the number of drug users who could not be rehabilitated amounted to 1.2 million and nearly 50 of them die every day. "In total about 18,000 die every year due to illegal drug consumption," Jokowi said.
He added that there were at least 64 drug convicts, both local and foreign, who had been sentenced to death in Indonesia. They had appealed their sentences, he said, adding that several heads of state had contacted him to annul the death sentences.
"However, I'm confident the heads of state who contacted me are also under pressure there," he said. (hhr)
