Indonesia says repatriation of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga, alleged Bali bombings mastermind Hambali ‘not a priority’

Mahendra on Tuesday stressed that the government is still monitoring the two cases involving Sinaga and Hambali as the state has a responsibility to its citizens, even those abroad. 

“Every citizen, wherever they are, is the responsibility of the government to provide attention, protection and defence,” he was quoted as saying by Tempo. 

The minister further explained that in Sinaga’s case, the convicted rapist had just been sentenced for his crimes in the UK. Under the country’s legal system, convicts have to serve at least 30 years in prison before they can apply for a reduced sentence. 

“So, (Sinaga’s) repatriation is not a priority that must be addressed immediately,” he said. 

And on the case involving Hambali, Mahendra said that the Indonesian government has requested for the United States to expedite the man’s trial.

Hambali has been detained at Guantanamo Bay – a US military prison in Cuba – for over two decades without a trial.  

“But until now, there has been no trial. It’s a terrorism issue on one hand and a human rights issue on the other. We have not had a somewhat detailed discussion about Hambali’s repatriation,” said Mahendra. 

Meanwhile, the minister stressed that the government’s focus for now is on cases involving Indonesian migrant workers abroad.

“There are approximately 54 Indonesian citizens sentenced to death in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia … That is our priority,” he said, as quoted by Tempo. 

The minister added that the government had already held discussions with Saudi Arabian and Malaysian authorities regarding the death penalty on the Indonesian migrant workers.