Australian parliament delegation explored a prisoner exchange program in a meeting with Indonesian People Consultative Assembly on Thursday [April 15, 2010].
Duncan Kerr, Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, who headed the Australian delegation, said that the policy will enhance ties between both countries.
He said that the delegation will propose an amnesty to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for 3 young Australians who were sentenced to death penalty by Indonesian court.
"Although it would be beyond our capacity to apply for the mercy, we still want to do it. Hopefully, this will enhance our relationship," said Kerr.
Yasona H Laoly, a member of Indonesian parliament, said that the prisoner exchange would be a great possibility in the future.
"We have discussed the issue in parliament before and we do hope that we will have a breakthrough on it," said Yasona.
After the session, Yasona told Xinhua that maybe in the future Indonesia could evise its law concerning foreign prisoners.
"Surely we have to honor each country's law before discussing it between both sides. However, I would say that it is possible that we could adopt the policy," he said.
Yasona said that both sides have prisoners in their own countries and the proposal would be a step forward in enhancing their ties.
Indonesian People Consultative Assembly's Chairman Taufik Kiemas said that parliament will discuss further about the issue.
Source: Xinhua, April 17, 2010
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