168 Indonesian Citizens Face Death Penalty Abroad, Most in Malaysia

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) revealed that 168 Indonesian citizens (WNI) faced the death penalty abroad between January and August 2023.

"These cases involve various offenses, some still undergoing legal proceedings, others already finalized or legally binding," said Judha Nugraha, Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a virtual press conference on Friday (29/9/2023).

Judha detailed that during the January-August 2023 period, the highest number of Indonesian citizens facing the death penalty was in Malaysia, with 157 cases.

There were 4 similar cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 3 in Saudi Arabia, 3 in Laos, and 1 in Vietnam.

"Regarding the offenses committed (by those facing the death penalty), the majority involved drug-related cases (110 cases), followed by murder (58 cases)," Judha explained.

He also mentioned that a total of 519 Indonesian citizens were saved from the death penalty between 2011 and 2023.

However, the number of Indonesian citizens freed from the death penalty is still lower than the increase in new cases.

In 2022, for example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded 22 Indonesian citizens freed from the death penalty, but there were 25 new cases of death penalty threats.

"This serves as a wake-up call for us all that handling these cases cannot be separated from preventative measures," Judha stated.

To assist Indonesian citizens facing the death penalty, the government, through Indonesian representatives abroad, provides consular access, appoints lawyers and translators, and undertakes other legal efforts in accordance with the laws of the respective countries.

"The state's duty is not to free our citizens. The state's duty is to provide legal assistance to ensure that every Indonesian citizen receives their legal rights fairly in the local courts," Judha said.

(See also: [177 Indonesian Citizens Involved in Drug Cases Abroad, Most in Malaysia](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2023/06/29/sebanyak-177-wni-terlibat-kasus-narkoba-di-luar-negeri-terbanyak-di-malaysia))