Two RI migrant workers saved from death

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that he appreciated the efforts made to save two Indonesian migrant workers from the death penalty in Malaysia.

“I extend my gratitude to our embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the lawyers and other government players who have worked hard to have Heni Herawati and Indah Kumala Sari saved from their death sentences,” the President wrote on his Twitter account, @SBYudhoyono.

He said the government made every effort to have more than 140 Indonesian migrant workers worldwide freed from death penalties.

“But I also sincerely hope that Indonesian nationals living abroad abide by the laws in place [in those countries],” he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Yudhoyono added that if Indonesian nationals overseas had their death sentences commuted, the leaders of those countries would ask the Indonesian government to do the same for their citizens.

Heni Herawati and Indah Kumala Sari have since been released from prison and are now at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur awaiting repatriation to Indonesia. (The Jakarta Post)