REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country`s largest Islamic organization, said they regreted clemency granted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) for two drug convicts. SBY has granted clemency to drug traffickers Deni Setia Maharwan alias Rapi Mohammed Majid and Merika Pranola alias Ola alias Tania, changing their punishment from death to life`s imprisonment. 

NU Chairman Said Aqil Siroj fears the clemency will weaken the fight against drug abuse. "With all respect I do not agree with the the decision to grant clemency to drug convicts," Said Aqil said on Friday. 

Chairman of NU Legal Aid Institution Andi Najmi Fuaidi also expressed hir regret with the clemency granted by the president. Andi said the president had been unfair in exercising his constitutional right .

"Granting clemency is a constitution right of the president but by exercising the right in this case, the president has badly hurt the feeling of the people," he said.