Major question around release of Bali Nine inmates is answered as remaining drug mules prepare to be transferred to Australia
Balinese officials remain confident that the remaining Bali Nine members will continue serving their life sentences when they are returned to Australia.
Willy Aditya, chairman of Commission XIII that oversees human rights, immigration and terrorism, said on Saturday he strongly supported the transfer plan while speaking from Kerobokan prison.
He said the five remaining members would continue their prison sentences and that negotiations were still ongoing.
“This is good political will that should be welcomed,” he said.
“Although we have no arrangements for transferring prisoners, they can still be transferred. We don’t release them. They are just being transferred back to their country to continue their prison sentences.
‘In this regard, we hope that Australia will respond. We are now negotiating with Australia.’
His comments come after Indonesian human rights lawyer Yusril Ihza Mahendra met Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Mr Burke received a draft proposal for the return of prisoners arrested in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian holiday island.
Five of the Bali Nine – Scott Rush, Matthew Norman (pictured), Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj – are transferred to Australia
They include Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj.
Leaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015, sparking a diplomatic incident with Australia, while Renae Lawrence was released in 2018 and Tan Duc Than Nguyen died of cancer the same year.
‘We never release them. Don’t misunderstand. We will be sent back to the country in question as prisoners under one condition,” Mr. Mahendra said.
“So even if the Bali Nine case is later transferred to Australia, it is not us who free them, we transfer them as prisoners to Australia.
“They will later serve their sentences in Australia based on our court ruling. That must be recognized and respected by the Australian government.”
Mr Mahendra added that if the Australian government later decides to grant a pardon, remission or amnesty, that decision will be entirely within their jurisdiction.
Mr Burke said it was a “significant step forward” after an Indonesian proposal was presented at the meeting, saying it showed “significant goodwill”.
Obstacles within both legal systems were discussed.
Balinese officials remain adamant that the remaining members of Bali Nine (pictured) will continue to serve their life sentences in Australia
“I have full respect for the Indonesian legal system and approach the conversations with great respect and great humility,” Burke said.
“There are a number of issues that remain unresolved and that work between our officials will continue.”
Jakarta is demanding the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia as part of a deal.
Mr Mahendra said the terms of the draft included the five remaining Bali Nine members not being allowed to return to Indonesia, rules on the legal basis for the transfer and a requirement that Australia respect the Indonesian court’s decision.
“The ball is no longer in our government’s court, it is in the Australian government’s court,” he explained.
On Friday, camera crews were invited to the prison on the Indonesian holiday island, where Mr Norman was pictured talking to officials and Mr Chen was filmed working in a silversmithing class with fellow inmates.