Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama is known for being fearless and saying whatever he believes to be true, consequences be damned. It is one of the reasons he is in a fierce battle with the Jakarta City Council right now and one of the reasons people are rallying to support him in his fight.

But that same fearless desire to speak his mind recently led Ahok to tell reporters and his former boss, President Joko Widodo, that he has an extremely controversial opinion on one of the biggest issues facing Indonesia today.

Ahok said he does not support the death penalty for drug dealers.

Speaking at Pondok Bambu prison yesterday, Ahok was quoted by Kompas as saying, “Many reporters thought I met with Pak President yesterday to discuss the questioning of the City Council, however we were actually talking about executions. I do not agree with the death penalty because people should have the opportunity to become better human beings.”

Ahok qualified his statement by saying that drug dealers should receive life sentences, and that those who are found to still be running their business from inside of prison should still receive the death penalty.

“If you find out they are still controlling the drug trade from prison, then execute them directly on that day. But if people want to change, give them the chance to live. Maybe he could help rehabilitate others, rather than simply being executed,” Ahok said as quoted by Detik.

But just in case you think he’s become a big softie, Ahok added, “”If 2,000 people threaten the lives of 1 million people, I would order them to be shot on sight. This is my view of human rights. I had to say this to Pak President, I know he is very careful and meticulous, listening to input from all sides. That is my experience with him.”

Despite criticism and pleas for clemency from abroad, President Joko Widodo has taken a firm stance in support of using the death penalty on drug traffickers, including the upcoming executions of Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan. We wonder if the words of his former right-hand man will have any effect on Jokowi’s position on the matter.

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