Minister Asks Heavy Penalty For Multiple Death Driver

Manado (Antara Bali) - Coordinating Minister for the Peopl's Welfare  Agung Laksono said the police should level  multiple charges against Apriani Susanti, the woman whose driving under the alleged influence of drugs  killed nine people in Jakarta recently.

He also hoped a court would pass a heavy sentence on her as a warning to all drug users in the country of the hazatds of their habit.

"The law enforcers in this case should take care not to be seen as weak. If necessary, give her the heaviest possible sentence so as to deter other drug users or reckless drivers, " he said here Saturday. A severe sentence for drug abuse would help to  make the public respect law enforcing agencies, he added.

Agung said her had talked with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the police about tackling the threat of drug abuse as had happened in Apriani's casei.

The tragedy that Apriani had caused was good momentum to revive  the public's  awareness about the dangers of marcotic drug consumption.

"At present, only 50 percent to 60 percent of Indonesian society are aware of the dangers of narcotic drug consumption. The Apriani case is a momentum to  remind the public," Agung said.(IGT/t007)