President Jokowi Declares War on Drugs

President Joko Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi and Head of National Narcotics Agency Budi Waseso, attends the peak commemoration of 2016 International Day Against Drug Abuse on Sunday (26/6), in Pinangsia, West Jakarta

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on the peak commemoration of 2016 International Day Against Drug Abuse on Sunday (26/6), in Pinangsia, West Jakarta, declared war on drug abuse in Indonesia and called on all ministries, institutions, law enforcers, particularly of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Regional Police Chiefs, Sub-Precinct Police Stations (Polsek) and Precinct Police Stations (Polres) to arrest drug dealers and bring them to justice.

“Hit them, fight them, and if the provisions of the law allowed, shoot them. Ladies and Gentlemen, remember, as many as 5.1 millions of Indonesia’s young generation die due to drug abuse. However, the provisions of the law does not allow it, otherwise I will instruct Indonesian National Police Chief (Kapolri) and Head of National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to shoot drug dealers at sight,” the President said.

In 2015, an estimated 5.1 million people in the country took drug, and 49 to 50 people died every day because of drug abuse. Economic loss from narcotics problems in Indonesia is estimated to have reached Rp63 trillion consisting of the money spend on drugs, treatment, stolen goods, rehabilitation fee, and others, the President explained.

He added that this (drug situation) is a state of emergency because it has already involved every social classes.

“The cases are not only found in cities but also in villages, and it does not only involve adults but also teenagers, and children as young as kindergarten and elementary school students also have been identified as drug users. Government officers and officials who should become role models for the people turned out to be drug users,” the President said.

According to the President, drug dealers always make actions and find new ways to deceive law enforcement and security agencies. They have already made people who will not be suspected such as children and women a drug courier. They also have new modes to smuggle drugs into toys, artificial limbs, and others.

The President reminded all parties, including Islamic boarding school (Pesantren), universities, ministries, institutions, cities, regencies, and provinces to synergize to tackle the problem, otherwise it will expand and weaken foundations of our national life.

Rather than words, concrete and real actions are needed, the President added.

“I must remind you all that the BNN, Polri, ministries, institutions, civil society organization, as well as people to synergize, take integrated and progressive measures to fight against drugs, and to beat the scheme of drug dealers,” President Jokowi said reminding that all sides must put aside their egos.

Wherever drug abuse cases occur in Indonesia, we will devote our power, intelligence, all government resources in correctional institutions, schools, borders, airports, seaports, and government institutions to tackle the problem.

“Once again, we must eradicate drug abuse. Indonesia will not be drug trafficking place anymore, and also not to be the production place of drug. I reassert that this is the time to fight against drugs,” the President said.

Previously, Head of National Narcotics Agency Budi Waseso said that in the period of 2015 to June 2016, BNN and Provincial Narcotics Agency have disclosed as many as 1,015 cases of 72 narcotics syndicates, with 1,681 suspects.

BNN has also uncovered money laundering of narcotics with the value of assets confiscated worth Rp142,058,158,337.00. Meanwhile, evidence of narcotics seized is 2.8 tons of meth, 707,864 ecstasy pills, 4.1 tons of marijuana, and 69 hectares of marijuana land.

First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Indonesian National Police (Polri) Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti, and Head of National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso also attended the event. (AGG/RAH/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)