As the end of the month draws closer, Bali Nine pair Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have issued a formal statement, via their families, from the Balinese prison where they currently await the death sentences imposed upon them by the Indonesian legal system to be carried out.
The pair’s brothers, Chintu Sukumaran and Michael Chan addressed awaiting media outside the Kerobokan jail, reading the very resigned sounding statement out.
“Our brothers are very grateful for the support and kindness shown to them by so many people and we are amazed at the strength and resilience during this stressful time.
As they reflect on their past they are also thankful to the Indonesian Government, the prison officials and many volunteers that have allowed them to create a wholistic rehabilitation program that is now the envy of most prisons worldwide.
We see and hear many prisoners doing courses go onto jobs and better lives. Our brothers’ great wish is for the President to allow them to continue this help, to rebuild the lives of many more Indonesians for many more years to come.
Myu and Andrew love Indonesia, they have a great respect for the Indonesian people and its culture and it was through the support of the Indonesian justice system that they were able to help set up many programs that have helped a lot of Indonesians and has also helped better themselves and they are very grateful for that. And I just want to remind everyone to remain respectful at this time and thank you for all your support.“
The call for respect comes as Indonesia is facing increasing international pressure over their application of the death penalty for drug crimes. Prime Minister Tony Abbott controversially used prior natural disaster aid given by Australia as a thinly veiled threat to the nation. Jakarta has also recalled its Ambassador to Brazil after what it deemed was unacceptable treatment at a formal ceremony. A Brazilian man is part of the same group of inmates as Chan and Sukumaran who are all scheduled for execution.
Kristito Mandagi, along with two other men, were caught in a 1998 sting operation that involved 76 Federal, NSW and Customs Police officers, a Police helicopter, two police ships, two Customs ships, and the RAN frigate HMAS Bendigo. When officers boarded their specially modified vessel, they uncovered 252.3 kilograms of heroin, carrying a street value somewhere in the vicinity of $400 to $600 million.
That equates to around 47 times the amount that Chan and Sukumaran were caught with. Mandagi was sentenced to life with 25 years non-parole, but on appeal that sentence was knocked down by six years for being manifestly excessive. He has served his sentence in what admits is the “relative comfort” of Lithgow prison, which has fitness facilities and provides prisoners to work and earn a small wage.
The three have had regular visits from Indonesian officials, and have had sympathetic press coverage in their home country, particularly after Schapelle Corby‘s sentence was reduced, claiming unfairness that her sentence was reduced and their was not – forgetting the sheer size of their attempted importation.
Mandagi will be eligible to apply for parole in 2017. Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, most certainly, will not.
Makes you think.
Photo: Jewel Samad via Getty Images.
