Some young australian travellers in various neighbouring countries don’t seem to appreciate the heavy penalties attached to anti-drugs laws (red – overgeneralisation is intended). the recent arrests of two young australians in two different parts of Indonesia might reignite the debate that instilled the fury of majority of Australians over Indonesian treatment for the Corby’s case.
but one have to understand the strong anti-drug stance of Indonesian governments. the use of drugs in Indonesian society is prevalent. Drug is considered the ‘cool’ thing among Indonesian youth and no longer available just to the ‘elite’ class. In fact, drug is used as a ‘quick fix’ to divert one’s attention from the hard and harsh reality of slow-improving life condition in the country.
That is why SBY’s government (and previous Indonesian governments) have always adopted a staunch believe that heavy penalties and punishments are the only way to deter people – let’s face it, drug is not a permanent fix. it lowers self-esteem, it disrupts a normal functioning of society and it incites various social problems that can be allayed by other means.
The only changing difference between the old and new Indonesia is enforcement. In the past, the government through police and the judicial system did not really ‘enforce’ the tough drug laws as they were living in denial. They could not accept the reality that a lot of Indonesian people – cultured people, are using drugs and that this has widespread implications to many other facets of life. Only in the past two years, the drive to eradicate this problem supported by all layers of society started to gain momentum.
Perhaps, the peak is when the SBY sent SMS from the ‘President of Republic of Indonesia’ to all Indonesian mobile users in June to inform the government’s strong stance against the drug and urge the society to work with the government on this issue.
For those who defy and never learn, there is only one final definitive outcome: punishment (obviously through a proper application of due process of law).
Because they deserve it regardless whether you are a local or foreigner.
Schappelle was guilty. She deserved what she got. She was lucky not to get death penalty.