It is not enough to crack down on narcotics sales with just empty words, instead of firm, explicit actions.
The main story in Kompas on Feb. 3, 2017, titled “Narcotics Business Controlled in 39 Correctional Institutions” reminded us of Kompas’ archive reports. The daily reported on Oct. 11, 1971: “Cases of Illegal Drugs Must Be Immediately Resolved Before They Pose Serious Problems”. Then on Nov. 2, 1971: “The President Summons the Attorney General, Narcotics Problems Turn Serious”, and again on Jan. 19, 1972: “Indonesia Has Become Target of International Narcotics Syndicate”. On June 27, 2008, Kompas reported thatthen National Police chief Gen. Sutantohad admitted that illegal drug circulationhad been conducted from inside prisons.
The (illegal drugs) cases reported by Kompas 40 years ago still exist, even today. Stories about narcotics sales organized by inmates are by no means new. A lot has been saidabout narcotics business centers set up inside prisons, like what Freddy Budiman did at the Cipinang correctional institution. Freddy has been executed.
The question now is why such a situation remains the same. Far from becoming better, the situation has worsened. Indonesia is not only a market but a producer of illegal drugs. This situation is inseparable from the fact that many people live on money from the drugs business, which amounts to some Rp 48 trillion annually. It is an undeniable fact that many law enforcement officials live on this illegal business. Freddy’s testimony, as told by human rights activist Haris Azhar, reflected this fact. Unfortunately, the results of an investigation pertaining to the testimony have not been revealed.
The country’s leader can always engage in rhetoric, declaring that Indonesia is in a state of emergency regarding narcotics. Pleas for clemency, however, are granted fordrugs convicts, thereby leading to inconsistencies. We encourage President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to eliminate officials who are involved in the narcotics business. Start with a small case. The extensive use of cell phones by inmates is against the law.
Budi Waseso, chief of the National NarcoticsAgency (BNN) said he knew that 72 international drug networks in 22 correctional institutions were the gateways to eliminate drug-addicted and corrupt officials. The BNN knows the locations used by inmates to control the circulation of illegal drugs. Hence the BNN could easily crack down on it.
The next step is to make no compromises with drug lords. There is no need to grant them clemency or remissions. Besides severe punishment, the government needs to enforcethe Money Laundering Law against drug kingpins, trace the flow of their money and confiscate their assets. Concrete and firm measures are required as mere rhetoric is meaningless.