Good Day, Beautiful People.
Today, I woke up at 5 am with a very heavy heart like many in Australia. The sad news of Bali 8 executions. Rodrigo Gularte, Martin Anderson (aka Belo), Raheem Agbaje Salami, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Okwudili Oyatanze, Zainal Abidin bin Mgs Mahmud Badarudin, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have died because of capital punishment. My prayers and thoughts for those families that Prince of Peace will comfort them. Andrew and Myuran, Australia grieves for you, Heaven rejoices for you. It is noted, you loved singing songs of praises even the last day on earth and now get to sing with the angels. “It was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.” -Pastor Karina de Vega. Her words spoke volume of the change Andrew and Myuran. Truly, I am thankful that Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was granted a last-minute clemency.
“Shattered and disappointed by the news that eight individuals convicted of drug-related crimes have been executed in Indonesia tonight, despite global calls for clemency. It’s a devastating blow to all of us who hoped that mercy (and common sense) would prevail.” – Sir Richard Benson
This really is opening a can of worms, raise so many issues that people may have to agree to disagree in some. I know my Indonesian friends may not agree with me on this matter. It always good to show mercy and kindness than being judgemental.
In general, we hate drugs, drugs pushers and drugs cartel. We want to fight the war of drugs but not inhuman way. We know how devastating to see friends, families and loved ones suffer from drugs abuse and the aftermath. People in civilised society have freedom of choice, some of us choose poorly at times. Naturally, we recognise and agree people who do the crime, do the time and life sentence. On the other hand, death penalty is barbaric for civilised society. Especially where the countries have rehabilitation programmes in place and see the success stories come out of rehabilitation. I believe people should be given a second chance particularly they have transformed to be better. Saul used to kill many Christians before he became St Paul who we know now. Nelson Mandela was given a second chance and became the famous Nation Leader who did many good for South Africa.
One cannot help but think the law in Indonesia seems to favour terrorists who killed so many innocents. This is one of many worms, many Aussies still remember the devastating Bali bombing. The terrorists were all set free.
Links of Terrorists set Free:
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/36-of-the-bali-bombings-terrorists-are-free-even-more-will-be-released-this-year-2014-5
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2717999/Bali-bomber-Muhammad-Cholili-released-TEN-years.html
http://www.news.com.au/world/indonesia-releases-2005-bali-bomb-maker-muhammad-cholili/story-fndir2ev-1227016024717
http://www.news.com.au/world/analysts-divided-if-freed-bali-bombers-will-join-islamic-state/story-fndir2ev-1227032415482
I leave you with these famous quote by Nelson Mandela “You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than acts of retribution.”
This song 10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman dedicated to you and your families:
Links for my overseas friends:
https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-death-penalty-has-no-place-in-the-world-0
http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/abolishing-the-death-penalty
http://www.smh.com.au/world/bali-executions-eight-prisoners-refused-to-wear-blindfolds-as-they-were-shot-20150429-1mvm99.html
http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/the-executions-of-bali-nine-duo-andrew-chan-and-myuran-sukumaran/story-fnh81fz8-1227325701195
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/why-andrew-chan-and-myuran-sukumaran-should-not-be-executed/story-fni0fhie-1227323017166
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-04/bali-nine-profiles-andrew-chan-and-myuran-sukumaran/6089120
http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/an-indonesian-prison-guard-working-on-the-same-island-where-bali-nine-duo-were-execution-has-been-arrested-for-trafficking-ice/story-fnh81fz8-1227357263172
Link for successful rehab:
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/551705-text-messages-from-one-of-bali-nine-before-his-execution.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=malaysian+digest
http://hillsong.com/blogs/collected/2015/april/istandformercy#.VUB8U40cTDc
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/bali-nine-australians-keephopealive-for-andrew-chan-and-myuran-sukumaran/story-fni0cx12-1227324524075
Talk about things that matters with your loved ones. Educate the next generation.
http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/content/youth4
http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/content/home-1
Furneral Link:
http://mobile.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/andrew-chan-funeral-last-letters-read-at-hillsong-ceremony/story-fnj3rq0y-1227345986921
http://youtu.be/fCB-6horoWo
http://andrewchanlife.org/
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Mon Ange 
I am so sorry. I am an Indonesian and I am against the death penalty conducted by my government. It breaks my heart when knowing the second batch of the death penalty in Indonesia still happening. I am frustrated as well as the death penalty becomes a political tool to gain popularity. Unfortunately, Indonesians who disagree and refuse the death penalty like me are just minority 😦 It is just too much and I wish such barbaric punishment to be stopped. Everyone deserved second chance.
Thank you for being brave and stand up for mercy and abolish death penalty. We need more people like you there.👍
I agree. Mercy, kindness and concern. Forgotten emotions and actions we need to find again. Powerful blog on a important topic.
Thank you for your kind feedback.
You are welcome.