Bali Nine clemency bids still 'in process'

The Bali Nine

Indonesia's president will not intervene in the case of two Australian men on death row, and his office says improved relations between Canberra and Jakarta will have no bearing on their fate.

A decision on Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, members of the so-called Bali Nine, has been in the hands of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for about two years.

There are hopes the president, who has given special focus to Indonesia's relationship with Australia, might grant clemency before he leaves office on October 20.

The signing of a new intelligence pact with Australia, which took place in Bali on Thursday, was seen as Dr Yudhoyono ensuring ties with Australia are in good shape before he departs.

But his spokesman on foreign affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, says the bilateral relationship is separate from the cases of the condemned Australians.

"It has nothing to do with bilateral relations," he told AAP on Friday.

"We respect the rule of law, and the executive cannot intervene in the judicial process, as similar to what happens in Australia."

Earlier in August, the governor of Kerobokan jail, where Chan and Sukumaran are incarcerated, revealed he had recommended all Bali Nine members have their sentences amended.

He said Chan and Sukumaran should serve life in prison, rather than receive the death penalty, and the others serving life should have lesser sentences.

The governor's advice will be handed to ministers who advise the president, but it's not known if Dr Yudhoyono will make a decision before he leaves office or whether it will fall to his successor, Joko Widodo.

The president is also being asked to intervene to postpone the execution of Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa, an Indonesian migrant worker on death row in Saudi Arabia.

An Amnesty International campaign for the woman, who is accused of killing her employer, has significant support within Indonesia.

Mr Faizasyah says the president understands why countries would seek clemency for citizens abroad.

"I remind you that the issue of drug smuggling, engaging in drugs, is a serious crime in Indonesia," he said.

"There are many factors that he must consider ... I cannot prejudge the outcome.

"But he fully understands that any government would try to seek clemency for their citizens."

The nine are serving their time in different jails in Bali and Java.

Renae Lawrence received the lightest sentence, 20 years, for her part in the foiled 2005 heroin-smuggling plot, and has won several reductions for good behaviour.

Source: AAP, August 29, 2014

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