Indonesia Mulls Speeding Up Death Penalty for Drug Offenders

Jakarta, Dec 5 (NationPress) Indonesia may move towards hastening the execution of the death penalty for those convicted of drug offences to bolster its deterrent impact, stated a senior official on Thursday.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan emphasized that Indonesia is currently grappling with a drug crisis, with the number of narcotics users reaching 3.3 million this year.

"We are contemplating accelerating the execution of the death penalty for drug convicts whose sentences are definitive and enforceable," he informed reporters at the national police headquarters, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Furthermore, the former leader of the nation’s intelligence agency indicated that the government plans to locate and freeze bank accounts associated with narcotics trafficking.

Gunawan also mentioned that collaboration among state institutions will be strengthened in the fight against drug abuse, concentrating on law enforcement, education, rehabilitation, and preventive measures aimed at discouraging early-age drug use.

He also pointed out that the majority of drug abuse victims are young individuals aged 15 to 24.