He hinted that there would soon be a fourth round of executions.

“We never said we would implement a moratorium,” Prasetyo said. “We are considering many aspects," he added.

Prasetyo made the statement in response to a question raised by United Development Party (PPP) politician Arsul Sani, who asked him to give updates on the government’s execution plans during a meeting at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Arsul asked about the fate of more than 100 death row convicts in regard to ongoing discussions between the government and lawmakers on making the death penalty an alternative sentence as stipulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP) draft revision.

The bill, which is being deliberated at the House, softens the government’s stance on capital punishment as it stipulates that the punishment can be reduced to life imprisonment.

Article 89 of the bill states “the death penalty should be the last option taken to protect the public.” It is elaborated further in Article 91, which says convicts may have their sentences reduced if they behave well during their imprisonment. The bill does not define the guidelines of death penalty assessments or stipulate institutions authorized to make such assessments.

“If the revised KUHP takes effect while we still have death row convicts, we will comply with this new law,” Prasetyo said. (ebf)

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