REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CILACAP -- The Indonesian navy has been patrolling Cilacap waters ahead of the execution of drug convicts on Nusakambangan island.

"In fact, we routinely patrol Cilacap waters whether or not there are executions due," the commander of Serayu ship at the Cilacap naval base, Second Lieutenant Arief Wibowo, said at Sleko pier on Tuesday.

Following Defense Forces Commander General Moeldoko's orders to ensure that security arrangements are in place before the executions, he noted, it will be implemented in accordance with procedures.

"Some 15 personnel, including the chief, have carried out a patrol around Nusakambangan island," he added.

Serayu naval ship was also assisted by Majeti ship in carrying out the patrol operations.

General Moeldoko has said that he has prepared intelligence officers as well as combat equipment to anticipate any possible threat in connection with the planned execution of drug convicts, including two Australian nationals Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

"Of course, we do not indicate or refer to a particular country. However, the military thoroughly understand the possibilities of threats," General Moeldoko stated here on Friday.

To strengthen the military, Moeldoko noted, the TNI will create a detailed plan with the Attorney General's Office and the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

"We will hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of threats," he added.

"Intelligence units and weapons will be ready. Special unit commanders must also be prepared," he revealed.

The TNI, Moeldoko remarked, supported the President's efforts to eradicate drugs.

"We understand the risks that drugs pose to our younger generation. We fully support the government's policies in any form to prevent it, including the death penalty for drug dealers," he emphasized.

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were sentenced to death in 2006 for leading a drug trafficking group, "Bali Nine."

The members of the group were arrested in 2005 from an airport and hotel in Bali, when they were attempting to smuggle 8.2 kilograms of heroin.

Australia has protested Indonesia's plan to execute two of its nationals.

Earlier, on Wednesday morning, Australian Premier Tony Abbott made a statement that Indonesia should remember that Australia had granted a US$1-billion aid package for the rehabilitation of the 2004 tsunami victims in Aceh.

Hence, Indonesia should reciprocate that gesture by sparing the lives of two Australian citizens facing execution for smuggling drugs, he added.

Responding to Abbot's statement, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir stated that Premier Tony Abbott's remarks did not represent diplomatic language and it was not right to invoke the Australian aid for tsunami victims while pleading for the lives of the two Bali Nine members.

Nasir noted during a press briefing here on Wednesday that he had not read or studied Abbott's comments on tsunami aid but understood that he made reference to "the issue in Indonesia."

"I hope the statement made (by Tony Abbott) does not reflect the true colors of Australian people," he said.

Nasir stressed Indonesia did not want to speculate on Australia's diplomatic reaction to the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, whose clemency pleas had been rejected by President Joko Widodo.

"I do not want to speculate what Australia will do; but, threats cannot be part of diplomatic language and no one responds well to threats," he pointed out.

On Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 17), Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated that the death penalty imposed by the Indonesian Supreme Court was plain law enforcement and not directed against a particular country or the nationals of certain countries.

Minister Marsudi also emphasized that an emergency situation has been declared in Indonesia due to a rampant rise in drug trafficking, which is believed to have social and economic repercussions on the country.

"The issue has reached a critical stage where international drug trafficking networks have turned Indonesia into one of the world's largest market for drugs. I think I have made myself very clear on this issue," she remarked.

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