Death penalty must be seen from both perspectives: Jokowi

"Just look at our young generation... how many have died. Do not always think of those who have been sentenced. Look at the victims... every year four to five million people are forced to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment," he said.

The media further quoted Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, as saying that Indonesia would still maintain good relations with neighbouring countries but there were limitations that must be respected by all parties, namely respect for the rule of law of a country.

"Rule of law remains the rule of law, political sovereignty remains political sovereignty," he said.

Jokowi was commenting on the offer made by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to swap three Indonesian prisoners held in Australia for two Australian prisoners in Indonesia, Andrew Chan and M. Sukumaran, who are facing execution after being convicted for drug trafficking.

He said drug addiction in the country was a serious problem and this was attributed to the increasing number of international drug syndicates.

Almost every day local television stations telecast 'live' news of the duo about to face the firing squad, the date yet to be determined.

The sentence will be carried out at the Shooting Range of Nusakambangan Prison in Central Java and all prisoners involved have been placed on death row at the prison.