"This is not about rejection. We do not have such a legal system," Jusuf Kalla stated in response to journalists question about the Australian Governments proposal to exchange two of its citizens on death row for Indonesians jailed in that country.
Canberras latest effort to free Myuran Sukumaran (33) and Andrew Chan (31), the two ringleaders of a drug smuggling group called "Bali Nine", was presented by Australias Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in a phone conversation with her Indonesian counterpart, Retno LP Marsudi, on Tuesday.
Sukumaran and Chan, who were flown out of Bali Island to the Nusakambangan Prison on Wednesday, are among 11 prisoners who will soon be executed on Nusakambangan island, Central Java Province.
According to the Vice-President, Indonesia cannot swap prisoners with Australia because of the absence of a legal provision.
The Australian Government has expressed its unhappiness with Jakartas decision. In response to Indonesias firm decision to go ahead with the Bali Nine members executions, Canberra has threatened Jakarta, as indicated in Prime Minister Tony Abbotts statement.
Abbott was quoted as saying by ABC that his government "will find ways to make its displeasure known if the executions are carried out."
The Australian Prime Minister earlier also emphasized that Indonesia should remember Australias generosity after a deadly tsunami hit Aceh in 2004.
"I would say to the Indonesian people and the Indonesian government: We in Australia are always there to help you, and we hope that you might reciprocate," he was quoted as saying by BBC recently.
Indonesians, including primary school students, in various parts of the archipelago, responded to Abbotts statement by organizing the "Coins for Australia" and "Coins for Abbott" campaigns.
A section of the Australian society also called for boycotting Indonesian tourist resort island Bali if Jakarta proceeded with its plan to execute the two ringleaders of the Bali Nine group.
Sukumaran and Chan were arrested along with seven other Australians while attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Bali to Sydney, Australia, in 2005. President Joko Widodo had recently rejected Sukumarans clemency petition.
Indonesia recently executed six drug convicts as part of its efforts to combat drug trafficking in the country.
The six convicts were Namaona Denis of Malawi; Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira of Brazil; Daniel Enemuo, alias Diarrassouba Mamadou, of Nigeria; Ang Kiem Soei, alias Kim Ho, alias Ance Tahir, of the Netherlands; Rani Andriani, alias Melisa Aprilia, of Indonesia; and Tran Thi Bich Hanh of Vietnam.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
