Jokowi Seeks Indonesia's Largest Islamic Organization's Blessing to Kill Drug Convicts

President Joko Widodo

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo visited Nahdlatul Ulama on Wednesday to ask Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization for its support in the fight against radicalism and to receive NU’s blessing for the government to execute drug dealers.

“[On radicalism] we have to be very firm in our stance against it so the people can see our integrity,” Joko told reporters in Jakarta.

Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of the central board of NU, said he would back the government’s attempts to clamp down on radicalism in Indonesia.

“We are against radicalism, terrorist groups and extreme radicals, even ISIS,” said Said Aqil. “They’re not fighters, but dangerous wanderers. Do not allow there to be any ISIS support in Indonesia.”

Joko was accompanied by several ministers including Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, State Secretary Pratikno and Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto. He asked NU to support his decision to execute drug traffickers.

“We also talked about death penalty, especially related to drugs. We wanted their view on this matter,” the president said.

Said Aqil said said NU supported the government’s decision to execute drug traffickers.

“We support the death penalty for the drug dealers and producers, but not the consumers,” said Said Aqil.

Joko disappointed many in human rights circles when he indicated he would press on with Indonesia’s policy of killing people for dealing in banned substances. Indonesia has a history of executing drug mules, many of whom were from very poor backgrounds, rather than sending to the firing squad drug lords of greater means and better connections.

Source: Jakarta Globe, December 24, 2014

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