Bali Nine Duo Titled Scholarships Invite Popular Outcry

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Australian Catholic University (ACU) has decided to use the Bali Nine duo names, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran as the title for undergraduate scholarships given by the academic institution to qualified students.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla views such decision as inappropriate and inconsiderate knowing the fact that the two recently executed men were punished due to drugs charges they have criminally-presented within the Indonesian region.

"I think that these men were executed because they have done something wrong. And it just does not seem appropriate to have scholarships title in an Australian academic institutions named after two drug convicts regardless of their endeavours to repent," Vice President Jusuf Kalla explained, Jakarta, Monday (4/5/2015). 

This is not the first time Australian schools yield scholarship opportunities to Indonesian students. 

But to use the names of the recently executed individuals is to indirectly undermine Indonesia in general. 

According to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Indonesia will very much appreciate Australia’s gesture should they use other historical figures as the title of the scholarships given. 

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been executed by the Indonesian firing Squad on Wednesday 29 April 2015. 

Their clemencies were rejected by President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo as the Indonesian law considers bringing more than 8 kg of heroin as a fatal mistake deserving heavy capital punishment. 

Apart from that, with drugs usage and distribution currently at a stage where it is uncontrollable, the government has decided to set a 'deadly' example for other drugs users and distributors so that they would reconsider their actions.

On Friday 1 May 2015, as shared on 'The Age', Australian Catholic University has decided to use the name of the Bali Nine Duo for the title of scholarships given to Indonesian students who have shown great qualification in the essay writing competition specifically themed 'The Sanctity of Human Life'. 

The theme is directly associated with Australian public outcry against the execution. (Akp/Tnt)