House Speaker Pleads for Leniency Towards Indonesians Charged in Saudi Arabia
[Updated on 07:30 p.m. on Wednesday to add a statement from House Speaker Setya Novanto]
Jakarta. House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto has asked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to show leniency towards Indonesian migrant workers facing criminal charges in Saudi Arabia.
King Salman, accompanied by several members of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's cabinet, was greeted warmly by lawmakers when he arrived at the national legislative complex in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (02/03) to address the House.
Setya expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would find a comprehensive solution for Indonesian nationals involved in criminal proceedings in the kingdom.
"We hope that problems surrounding Indonesian workers can be settled in an agreeable fashion that would still respect Saudi Arabia's legal system," Setya said in his 10-minute speech.
"If any of them are found guilty, we, on behalf of the Indonesian people, ask for forgiveness," Setya said.
Indonesia imposed a brief moratorium in 2011 on citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for employment. Today however, there are an estimated 1.5 million Indonesian migrant workers in the kingdom, with 20 on death row.
King Salman arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday for a 12-day visit to the world's largest Muslim-majority democracy, aiming to finalize investments in infrastructure and oil and gas ventures throughout Indonesia.
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