THE true victims of crime are not only victims and their families, but the families of criminals committing offences.

Criminals have little thought for the consequences and impact of their actions, till well after the fact, when they're caught. With nothing to lose now but their lives, Chan and Sukumaran are faced with the anguish they have inflicted upon their families, mourning their imminent executions.

There was no thought for consequences, while riding high and repeatedly avoiding capture in their drug-smuggling hey day!

Now remorseful, their families also face a life sentence for the crimes their children have committed.

Not only did these criminals endanger themselves, but the young men and women trapped into carrying their lethal load as mules.

Their initial confession of innocence and denial of culpability, was soon countered by the admission of seven others tricked into this deadly trade. They had already made their millions previously and became arrogant in the process, defying the odds.

Our laws are too lenient on hardened criminals. Criminals here laugh at the weakness of our system which punishes victims and extends offenders leniency beyond the pale.

The West condemns developing nations for taking these extreme measures. However, it sends a clear message that Indonesia is intolerant of visitors who break their laws.

Unless the offenders were illiterate, by arrogantly and blatantly ignoring consequences, they were willing to gamble with their lives and risk the lives of co-offenders. There will be no happy ending to this saga.

E. ROWE, Marcoola