Three members of the infamous Bali Nine, an Australian group convicted for heroin smuggling, are hoping for a chance at freedom after serving 16 years in Indonesian prisons. These individuals, incarcerated in Bali, are serving life sentences, their fate hanging on the possibility of presidential clemency. As Indonesia approaches its Independence Day on August 17th, a time traditionally marked by sentence remissions, recommendations for leniency have been sent from Bali to Jakarta. These reports from prison governors and justice officials suggest that Matthew James Norman, Si Yi Chen, and Scott Rush could be granted a reprieve, offering them a glimmer of hope for a life beyond prison walls.
The final decision rests with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the same leader who in 2015 denied clemency to Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, leading to their execution by firing squad. The contrast highlights the precarious nature of justice and mercy within the Indonesian legal system, particularly for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes in Bali.
Matthew James Norman, 34, and Si Yi Chen, 36, are currently held in Kerobokan Prison, a facility located in Denpasar, Bali. Scott Rush, 35, is imprisoned in Bangli Narcotics jail, situated in the northern part of Bali. These men were among the nine Australians apprehended in April 2005 for attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin from Bali to Australia. The arrests took place at Bali‘s airport and a nearby hotel, capturing international attention on drug trafficking and Bali as a transit point.
Sukumaran and Chan received death sentences, while the others, except Renae Lawrence, were given life sentences. Indonesian law dictates that a life sentence means imprisonment for the remainder of one’s natural life, unless presidential reprieve converts it to a determinant sentence, opening avenues for annual sentence reductions and eventual release.
Kerobokan prison governor, Fikri Jaya Soebing, has publicly stated that both Norman and Chen are exemplary prisoners deserving of remission. He emphasized their active participation in rehabilitation programs that benefit other inmates within the Bali prison. “Once we propose it to the government, it means they deserve [a remission],” Fikri stated, underscoring their adherence to prison regulations and commitment to rehabilitation. Their involvement in workshops, such as Si Yi Chen’s silversmithing program “Mule Jewels” and Matthew Norman’s work in clothing and screen printing, demonstrates their efforts to acquire skills and contribute to the prison community. They also reportedly teach English and participate in religious activities, showcasing a comprehensive rehabilitation.
The governor of Rush’s prison echoed similar sentiments, describing Rush as a transformed individual who has acknowledged his past mistakes and engaged in drug rehabilitation programs. Agus Pritiatno advised Rush to remain patient regarding the remission application and to maintain his positive conduct. The Bali Correctional Board has officially recommended sentence reductions for Rush, Chen, and Norman. For Scott Rush, the board acknowledged his youth and immaturity at the time of the crime. For Norman and Chen, their extensive time served and demonstrated rehabilitation were key factors in the recommendation, advocating for forgiveness and a chance at a future with certainty.
Martin Stephens, 45, another Bali Nine member serving a life sentence, is imprisoned in Malang in East Java, geographically separate from Bali. Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, also part of the Bali Nine and previously in the same Malang jail, passed away from cancer in 2018. Renae Lawrence, the only member to receive a determinant sentence, was released in 2018 and has since returned to Australia.
As the Independence Day approaches, the fate of Norman, Chen, and Rush remains uncertain. Their hopes for remission highlight the complex intersection of law, justice, and rehabilitation within the Indonesian context, set against the backdrop of Bali, a popular yet complex island destination. The world watches to see if these Bali Nine members will be granted a second chance after years spent in Bali‘s prisons.
