Last night on international television President SBY was shown making a response about appeals for clemency with regards the death penalty for prisoners in Indonesian jails. According to the translation out on the screen he said something like this: " I take a very negative attitude towards appeals for clemency and never grant them. Why should I when our brothers and sisters (Indonesians) overseas are not shown any clemency and are executed? Why then should I show clemency to foreigners here?"

I was astounded that a person who claims to be a world class statesman could make such a petty, vindictive and spiteful statement. It was dangerously childish and lacking in vision.

I point out that no Indonesians are dealt the death penalty in Australia.

It is largely in fellow Muslim countries where the President's 'brothers and sisters' are executed - by his fellow Muslims.

If he wishes this to stop - as it most surely should - he should set an example to the world, especially the Muslim world, by putting into practice here what he wants from others. In other words, he should set an example of clemency to the Muslim world by being large hearted enough to show mercy to people in his own country. But what has he chosen to do? He has chosen to be spiteful, full of vengeance and vindictive. He has an attitude - "If people are going to do it to us, then I'll do it to them."

I didn't expect this attitude from a President. I think he has lost a wonderful opportunity to make a great step forward towards stoppoing such a barbaric practice. It seems to me, he is no better than than anyone else.

Someone has to make the first move - yes - someone has to take a risk - yes, someone has to be more generous than others - and more courageous. But it appears brinkmanship is all important. The pride and arrogance of men.

A lost opportunity reflecting a very questionable attitude.

Something in my heart died last night. I shall never look at SBY in the same light again.

The Indonesian media are so docile and polite. If they were more like international journalists, they would write: "Australia PM Fights For Lighter Sentence For Drug Smuggler".

The Indonesian media are so docile and polite. If they were more like international journalists, they would write: "Australia PM Fights For Lighter Sentence For Drug Smuggler".

Mas

32,000 Indonesians arrested on drugs offences in 2010 - 17 death sentences

(non carried out to date as far as I can see) 167 non Indonesians - 56 death sentences -

There is also some evidence that some of the non Indonesians were fitted up (either by our own or by externals) to divert attention?? -

Do you recall the large number of Prison officers/wardens recently implicated in huge deugs rings in our own prisons? Gone quiet on that and what about that poor victim mz surhato's granddaughter? The nightclub owner with a crystal meth factory??loads and loads ... but no death penalty? often not even a prison sentance..

I suspect (with no evidence BTW) that the hard sentencing on non Indo's is to help the local production develop - and it is HUGE!!

The Aussies well aware that drug offenses carry capital punishment in Indonesia and yet they never learned, I personally against capital punishment with the principle of " HE, WHO give life take it back " and commute it to life imprisonment in hard labor with parole eligibility after 40 years.