"Indonesian citizens, Indonesian migrant workers overseas, or whoever, must understand the legal system and the local culture and customs in foreign countries where they are staying," President Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in his comment on the public response to the beheading of Indonesian migrant worker Ruyati in Saudi Arabia, said that supremacy of the law was above all.

In a press conference at the presidential palace here on Thursday the president said that each country had its own legal system, culture and customs that had to be respected by foreign nationals staying in the country concerned.

"Indonesian citizens, Indonesian migrant workers overseas, or whoever, must understand the legal system and the local culture and customs in foreign countries where they are staying," President Yudhoyono said.

On the other hand, the president also asked foreign nationals staying in Indonesia to understand and abide by the Indonesian legal system.

The head of state admitted he often received request for clemency from the governments of other countries whose citizens got capital punishment in Indonesia.

"My answer is that legal supremacy is above all. I rejected almost all of the requests for clemency for the sake justice. This applies to all countries. Supremacy of law is above all," President Yudhoyono said.

In the meantime, Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said a total of 316 problematic Indonesian migrant workers have been unconditionally released and would be repatriated at a cost to be borne by the Saudi government.

But the repatriation would be carried out in stages and up to now a total of 190 have been sent back to Indonesia.

President Yudhoyono expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi King for meeting the Indonesian government`s request of clemency for 316 Indonesians who were facing legal problem in Saudi Arabia.

"On behalf of the Indonesian government and state, I extend my gratitude and appreciation for the unconditional release of 316 Indonesians in Saudi Arabia," President Yudhoyono said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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