Indonesian Citizens Escape Death Row in Malaysia

Jakarta Globe, May 08, 2015

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur are a symbol of Malaysia and are see in
the background of this photo on April 7, 2015. (EPA Photo/Fazry Ismail)

Jakarta. Two Indonesians arrested in Malaysiafor allegedly possessing more than a kilogram of heroin have been cleared of all charges and spared the death sentence, the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday.

Maharani and Surya Darma Putra, who were detained in June 2009 with nearly 1.2 kilograms of heroin and 198 grams of morphine, will soon be returned to Indonesia, news portal Kompas.com reported. The Indonesian citizens were arrested with Pakistani Naseem Haider and Indian national Sunita.

The acquittal comes after two appeals by prosecutors, who sought the death penalty for the four.

On Februaruy 22, 2012, Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected all charges against the four after prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the group was guilty.

Prosecutors appealed to the Malaysian Court of Appeal, which in turn validated the High Court’s ruling on March 28, 2014.

The result was then challenged again in the Malaysian Federal Court, which rejected the appeal on Thursday and ordered the Indonesian couple be deported immediately.

“As the final decision is out, the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur will proceed with bringing Maharani and Surya Dharma Putra home,” said Fandhyta Indra, a member of the information, social and culture division at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

A total of 165 Indonesians could face the death penalty in Malaysia for a range of crimes, the embassy has reported.

Malaysian authorities have commuted the death sentences of 217 Indonesians since 2009. In 2015, there have been seven Indonesians whom Malaysian authorities have released from the death penalty.

Indonesia, meanwhile, resumed executions in 2015 and has killed 14 people by firing squad this year.