Reality plea to Bali duo

AUSTRALIAN death row prisoners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are keeping their spirits up even as Balinese authorities say they should “accept reality” and come to terms with Indonesia’s determination to execute them soon.

Kerobokan jail governor Sudjonggo said the men, who have been driving his prison’s successful rehabilitation programs, were faring well.

He said he had no word on when they would be transferred to Nusakambangan, the island Indonesia is preparing for the executions of the Bali Nine pair and eight other drug offenders.

“I don’t know yet when they’re going to be transferred,” he said.

“I’m not seeing them packing yet either. Myuran’s paintings are still in the studio.”

Bali’s head ombudsman Umar Ibnu Alkhatab has inspected the prison and found all was running normally, albeit with “special attention” to the Australians.

“We also met Andrew and Myuran,” he said. “They said that they have shared their knowledge and experience.

“Psychologically, they’re ready, in good health. I think they should accept reality.”

On Nusakambangan, work is going on to remedy the lack of isolation cells and other facilities to handle the executions of 10 prisoners at once.

Attorney-General H.M. Prasetyo has confirmed 10 will face the firing squad as soon as preparations are complete, but he has not named them all.

Ten drug offenders are on death row, with confirmation that another Nigerian man, Okwudili Oyatanze, has been denied presidential clemency.

According to reports, he and three others were caught smuggling heroin into Jakarta in 2001.