Thursday, April 30, 2015

Sinners or saints? : The Bali Nine Executions

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¤ What you are about to read is a controversial topic. If you are easily offended, please move on to a different blog post. Thank you. ¤

The execution of the 8 Bali nine drug smugglers recently has caused uproars and protests especially in Australia. Some even suggested on boycotting Bali altogether. My Facebook wall was overflowing with debates on the execution. Some claim it's a tragedy, a rather hush punishment, that these men died as fallen heroes while others, claim otherwise.

What you're about to read next is totally based on my personal opinion. I represent no one else but me.

In most south east asian countries, drug dealing as, well as drug smuggling, is considered a national offence. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and as well as Singapore, to be caught with large amount of dangerous drugs will land you a one way trip to the gallows.
This practice has been approved by the government law for many years.
As a tourist arriving by air, one of the first announcement that is being made in the plane after landing is the mandatory announcement regarding the country's law on trafficking dangerous drugs and that it carries a mandatory death sentenced, if found guilty. Arrving at the airport, warning signs welcomes visitors multiple times before they step out of the terminal. The same with all the rest of the mentioned countries.
People are constantly being reminded of the severity on punishments relating drugs. It's almost like an annoying mosquitoe that buzz into your ear before disappearing, only to return later on.

So a fair amount of warnings were being given out to the public. Ignore these warnings, then face the consequences.
It's simple...if you don't want to be sentenced to death, just DONT DO IT.
The Bali nine men were no exception. In fact, for dozens of years, many others whom were found guilty of such crime has been shot, hung or electrocuted. It is the law. Period.

Were these men heroes or criminals? That is the question. And not a very difficult one either. -again, all I'm writing now is all based on personal opinion. You are free to say I'm wrong and you think otherwise. It's entirely up to you-.
So my verdict on the men...they dies as criminals.
At which point did someone says they were brave heroes?
The world is protesting over the execution of drug dealers. There are many other more worthy causes we can spend the same amount of energy in. Yet, hundreads mourns the death of these men. I'm not saying we musnt mourn for them. Mourning is healthy. Bit to rebel and protest over it is senseless. No denying at the end of the day, smugglers or not, they're still a person with families and friends and a life of their own. But to debate on this matter?? Not even worth it. Besides, at what point were they considered brave? They had no choice. Unless of course you're reflecting their bravery on smuggling in heroin into Bali, well yes. Brave but stupid.

These men were aware of the state they were in even before they got caught. How could they not?
To be involved in the drug ring is a serious manner. Many things needed to be done to prepare one before carrying out their 'tasks'. Precautions were to be taken. Plans needed to be precise and sneakyw enough for them to go under the radar unnoticed. It takes a brains and courage. So yes, I have to make a bold statement here and say that the men weren't stupid. Risks were to be taken, yet unfortunately for them, they lost.

In any country, the government is full of flaws. Corruption too. So before you bring up any other unrelated cases to prove that injustice were served, keep in mind this blog post is only about the Bali nine executions.

Was the execution fair though? Perhaps yes, perhaps not. I believe in second chances. That everyone is entitled to one. But when an offense of this scale being done and you are aware of the charges, then well one should be prepared to face the penalty if found guilty.
Rules are rules, and they apply anywhere in the world. The Bali nine gang, however, choose a place that doesn't tolerate kindly with such heist. That is not the government's problem then. The men played with fire, they got burn.

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However, condolences and prayers should be sent out to the families and friends of the men. It's them that suffers most and it's unfair.

So readers from all over the world, JUST STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS. It's that easy.

<span class="post_sig">AZ</span>

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