Bali Nine's Andrew Chan clemency requested thrown out

'Mind our own business' warning, as Bali Nine's Andrew Chan clemency requested thrown out

A bid by the Bali Nine's Andrew Chan to avoid a firing squad has been dealt a significant blow with Indonesia's national narcotics board believed to have recommended that his request for clemency be rejected.

A senior source in Indonesia who is involved in the clemency process said the narcotics board's decision was in line with the recommendation of a Supreme Court judge, who was also asked to offer an opinion on whether Chan's death sentence should stand.

"For Andrew Chan ... the goods involved so many kilos, right? It's difficult when it comes to this," he said. "So, we're just following what's requested to us and what's been recommended, that it's a 'no'."

Foreign Minister Bob Carr is reported as wanting to personally raise the fate of Bali Nine member Andrew Chan with the Indonesian Foreign Minister next week. Senator Carr will next week meet with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa on a visit to Bali and Jakarta'.

But Ross Taylor, Chairman of the WA-based Indonesia Institute warned that interference in Indonesia's judicial process by our politicians could be counter-productive.

"We spend years lecturing Indonesia about the principle of the 'separation of powers' between government and the judiciary", said Mr. Taylor. "But then as soon as a case arises where it doesn't suit our principles or position, we do the very thing we have previously criticized Indonesia about".

Mr. Taylor said most western countries, including Australia, saw a 'death penalty' approach as abhorrent, however a number of ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have very severe penalties for drug trafficking.

"Whether we like it or not, we have to accept that this is their sovereign right. It's not our business", said Mr. Taylor.

Mr. Taylor said that Australia's interference in the case of the 14 year-old boy from NSW who was arrested in Bali last year on drug procession charges was another example of our interference in Indonesia's internal affairs.

"We look hypocritical in the eyes of our neighbours", said Mr. Taylor.

"Indonesia faces a very severe drug problem amongst young people, and their authorities take a very hard line with people caught trafficking. This is a internal matter; not a political issue for Australia.

www.indonesia-institute.org.au

ENDS

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