"According to our data, there are five Dutch prisoners serving time in Indonesia. There are also two Dutch nationals held at the Immigration Detention House," Mahendra informed in a ministry statement here on Monday.
He emphasized that Indonesia is open to international legal cooperation, but it also takes the principles of justice and national interest into account.
According to the minister, the transfer of foreign prisoners is not a decision that can be made quickly and requires thorough examination.
He informed that the transfer of inmates back to their home countries is based on a discretionary policy set by President Prabowo Subianto.
Indonesia has repatriated several prisoners to their home countries to complete their sentences, including five members of the Bali Nine to Australia, Mary Jane to the Philippines, and Serge Atlaoui to France.
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Mahendra said that the Indonesian government is currently drafting a special law on the prisoner transfer process.
"The draft of the bill is being prepared, and we aim to finalize it before the Eid al-Fitr holiday," he informed.
In response, Ambassador Marc Gerritsen praised Indonesia's openness to work together in legal affairs.
However, he also acknowledged Indonesia's legal policies and expressed his support for efforts to establish a clear and just legal mechanism for inmate transfers.
"This cooperation is not only beneficial for both countries but also demonstrates our shared commitment to upholding the principles of justice," Gerritsen said.
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Translator: Agatha, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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