A crocodile-guarded prison and random shootings to terrorise the population are two of the outrageous policy ideas that have prompted many to wonder what's going on with Indonesia's war on drugs.
Experts have been asking the same question, after Jakarta this year wielded its ultimate penalty - death by firing squad - followed by other strategies proven elsewhere to be ineffective.
The man behind the increasingly extreme suggestions is Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Budi Waseso.
His latest move is to require all drug users to present for compulsory rehabilitation before 2016, or face prosecution.
Rehabilitation will be a sentencing option for drug users, but not traffickers, in order to "break the chain" of narcotics networks, General Waseso has said.
But experts say the swing towards criminalisation is driving drug users from programs proven to reduce the rate of infectious diseases.
HIV/AIDS researcher at Atma Jaya University, Anindita Gabriella, says the BNN is exploiting Indonesia's contradictory laws.
On one hand, drug users have the right to rehabilitation, but on the other, they can be convicted for possession of small amounts of drugs.
"There are examples overseas where decriminalisation is actually helping the drugs situation," she said.
"We certainly don't want more people using drugs and certainly don't want more people with HIV/AIDS either.
"We want a public health-based approach, but it seems the government doesn't want to see it that way."
Harm reduction programs in Indonesia have reduced HIV rates among injecting drug users from 42 per cent in 2011 to 36 per cent in 2013, according to Atma Jaya University's Dr Irwanto.
He's now worried that years of progress is in jeopardy.
Injecting drug users fear being seen using needle exchanges, which could lead to more needle sharing.
The crackdown could also drive up heroin prices, making users more likely to resort to cheaper alternatives.
Rehabilitation centres should ease the strain on Indonesia's over-full prisons, but Fitriadi Agung Prabowo, Law and Human Rights Ministry spokesman, admits only three provinces have facilities ready.
Drug users who go through the courts next year should be sentenced to rehab, he said.
"If we scrap the criminal aspect, there will be no deterrent effect."
While authorities focus on drug users, Dr Irwanto says drug producers and dealers represent only three per cent of the prison population.
"Users and couriers are usually the vulnerable in our society," he said.
"They are clearly victims who should be rehabilitated, but while the drum of war against drugs is being beaten, they're being made into criminals."
There's no sign of the authorities relenting.
Agus Barnas, Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law and Security spokesman, says they are united on this: "Drug crime is more evil than terrorism".
BUDI WASESO'S WAR ON DRUG USERS:
September:
- "Buwas", as he is known, is transferred to the BNN from the chief of detectives, where he had launched investigations into officials at the KPK, Indonesia's corruption watchdog, seen as get-backs for its probe into the deputy police chief.
- He declares Indonesia's drug laws too weak, claiming traffickers can get lighter treatment by claiming they are users.
- He wants an end to government-funded rehabilitation, describing it as a waste of funds on "fixing broken people".
November:
- Says the death penalty for drug dealers should be carried out in a new way: "Let them overdose by their own drugs".
- Inspects crocodiles that could be used to guard a new island prison. Says piranhas, lions or tigers could also be used. "We will keep sending them food supplies every day. But they have to survive on their own".
December:
- Settles on an island off East Java for the new prison
- Suggests bringing back "petrus" (mysterious shootings) from the Suharto era, where people were killed and their bodies dumped in public to terrorise the population into stopping crime.
- Warns drug users to turn themselves in by 2016, or face prosecution.
Sources: Tempo.co, ABC, Jakarta Globe, jurnal3.com
