Discussions surrounding the return of the remaining five members of the Bali Nine are currently ongoing, following a meeting at the APEC summit in Peru last week.
After a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, talks regarding the repatriation of the five remaining Bali Nine members to Australia have commenced.
The incarceration of the five Australians was a topic of discussion at the APEC summit in Peru on Nov. 16.
Indonesia’s Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas informed Reuters that his government has agreed to facilitate the return of the remaining Bali Nine members to Australia. He also mentioned that Indonesia will seek the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia.
“This is at the discretion of the president, but in principle, the president has agreed on humanitarian grounds,” Supratman stated.
He added that Jakarta does not have established procedures for international prison transfers but will address the matter promptly, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting Indonesia’s judicial process.
“This is crucial to maintain good relations with friendly nations. However, it is also in our interest as we have prisoners abroad,” he explained.
Who Are the Bali Nine?
In 2005, nine Australians were convicted in Bali for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.
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The ringleaders of the group, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015, and another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, passed away due to stomach cancer while in jail in 2018.
The 2015 executions had a significant impact on the diplomatic relations between the two countries, leading to Australia recalling its ambassador to Indonesia in protest.
The sole woman in the group, Renae Lawrence, had her sentence commuted in 2018, but five original members are still serving life sentences in prison.
The five individuals still incarcerated in the Indonesian prison system are Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, and Michael Czugaj.
Reaction of the Coalition
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash expressed her bewilderment at Albanese’s failure to explain the decision.
“Let’s be clear, these individuals, Australians, were involved in a heroin smuggling operation to bring over eight kilos of heroin into Australia,” she told Sky News Australia.
“Drug offenses are among the most serious crimes in our society due to the devastating impact on people, including death.”
Cash emphasized the need for the prime minister to be transparent with Australians about the terms of the agreement and what Australia is giving up in return.
She also highlighted that the situation of the Bali Nine serves as a reminder for Australians traveling to Bali during the Christmas season that individuals arrested in Indonesia are subject to its laws and face harsh penalties.
Labor Response
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farell stated that Albanese’s role is to represent Australian interests internationally and confirmed that discussions are ongoing.
“The proposal, as I understand it, is not to release these individuals. They will continue to serve their sentence, but in Australia,” he informed Sky News.
Farell noted that the prime minister has actively advocated for the imprisoned Australians. “We will wait and see what unfolds in the coming days and weeks,” he concluded.
