TNI Goes Overboard with Fighter Jets in Convict Execution: Setara
5 March 2015 14:58 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Rights watchdog the Setara Institute said the Armed Forces (TNI) had gone too far when it dispatched Sukhoi SU-30 and F16 fighter jets to escort the aircraft transporting Australian death row convicts Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran from Krobokan Prison in Bali to Cilacap on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.
“It’s just over the top if the TNI steps in,” Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said in Jakarta.
Hendardi also questioned the amount of state funds spent on the operation of the fighter jets. “This is just wasteful,” he enthused.
According to Hendardi, the planned execution of the condemned inmates was a matter of law enforcement, as opposed to “a war issue.” He added there had been no apparent threats from foreign countries to foil the execution.
“If it’s just a protest from other countries, it’s normal,” he said, explaining that the government would do similar things to keep its citizens from being executed overseas.
TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Mochamad Fuad Basya, meanwhile, said the TNI launched the fighter jets following reports of possible attempts by some particular parties to thwart the impending execution.
“This is to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, we try to escort [the aircraft] to ensure the execution proceeds without a hitch,” he told Tempo on Thursday, February 26, 2015.
MUHAMMAD MUHYIDDIN | REZA ADITYA