KSP: Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Moves To Release Indonesian Citizens In Malaysia From The Death Penalty

Illustration of detention cells in Malaysia. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) moved quickly to free Indonesian citizens (WNI) from the death penalty.

KSP Main Expert Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin said the effort was carried out after the ratification of the mandatory removal of the death penalty in Malaysia in March 2023.

"The president always emphasized that the state must be present to protect the Indonesian people, both at home and abroad," said Ruhaini in a written statement, Friday, September 22, which was confiscated by Antara.

Ruhaini conveyed that the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia was retroactive. That way, said Ruhaini, for defendants involved in drug cases due to ignorance, coercion, or being victims of criminal acts of trafficking in persons (TPPO) can be tried to change sentences. However, it depends on the role and position of the defendant.

"If they are not part of the network that produces and solely as couriers, then the death penalty can be considered to be changed," he said.

He explained that efforts to waive the death penalty through the abolition of the mandatory death penalty did not mean that the Indonesian government took over the case. However, the Government of Indonesia is given the authority to provide assistance and ensure that the judicial process runs fairly and proportionally, including considerations about the vulnerability of workers.

"This good work is a concrete step in the commitment of President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim in increasing cooperation in protecting Indonesian workers in Malaysia," said Ruhaini.

Ruhaini emphasized the importance of early prevention to avoid TIP. According to him, all stakeholders from upstream to downstream, both families, villages, sub-districts and districts need to socialize literacy in working abroad that is safe and productive.

"Prevention from upstream to downstream will really present the country in the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad as a comprehensive and inclusive constitutional mandate," he said.