Bali Nine member Matthew Norman reveals thoughts on Renae Lawrence’s release

Matthew Norman, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the Bali Nine operation, reveals his thoughts on the release of Renae Lawrence and his own bid for freedom.

Bali Nine member Matthew Norman, who is serving a life sentence, says he wishes Renae Lawrence the best of luck with life outside jail and says he harbours no bitterness that she will be freed tomorrow.

In an interview inside Bali’s Kerobokan jail today, Norman says he is focusing on being the best person he can in a bid to have a chance at freedom himself.

Bali Nine member Matthew Norman is serving his life sentence at Kerobokan prison. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Lawrence, 41, will walk out of Bangli prison in Bali’s north-east on Wednesday and be deported to Australia, becoming the first of the Bali Nine to be freed after their controversial 2005 arrest.

But the rest remain in prisons around Indonesia, all serving life sentences with no prospect of release at this stage.

Matthew Norman says he is focusing on being the best person he can in a bid to have a chance at freedom himself. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Norman, from Newcastle, was the youngest of the nine when they were arrested at just 18. Talking with the Kerobokan jail Governor Tonny Nainggolan at his side, Norman said he wished Lawrence “the best of luck” upon her release.

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Matthew Norman was just 18 when was arrested. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“Well basically what’s going on with Renae, that’s her story, she was sentenced by the courts to 20 years. She has got her remissions, she has done what she has needed to do to get out ... I wish her the best of luck,” Norman said.

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Renae Lawrence is set to be released on Wednesday after serving more than 13 years in jail for drug smuggling. Picture: Lukman S.Bintoro

Asked if Lawrence’s release and the death by firing squad of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan in 2015 made this a bittersweet time for him, Norman said he was optimistic of eventually getting a sentence reduction.

“No, I don’t feel bitter at all. The judicial system was like that, she got her sentence for whatever reason and we got ours (life). We have to deal with what we have and not worry about other people.

“I don’t want to be negative or anything like that. It is not healthy. I can’t become the best person I can if I am negative and bitter,” Norman said.

“Our sentences are what they are. We have been sentenced by the Indonesian courts to our sentences so there is not really much I can say,” Norman said.

Norman and the remaining members of the Bali Nine were sentenced to life in jail and under the Indonesian system they are not entitled to remissions or freedom unless they can convince the Indonesian President they deserve a clemency and their sentence cut back to 20 years.

And even the Jail Governor supports their application to have the sentences reduced, saying that if they received a 20 year sentence today they would be freed, just like Lawrence.

“I am here with a life sentence and I am still doing all that I can to better myself and I still have hope that my sentence will come down.”

Prison Governor Tonny Nainggolan and Bali Nine member Matthew Norman are interviewed at Kerobokan prison. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Norman paid tribute to the Jail Governor, who he said had allowed them to set up workshops an run rehabilitation programs in the jail such as a T-shirt screen-printing operation called Redemption clothing, computer classes, English classes for prisoners and guards.

He said there were opportunities in jail for all 1500 or so prisoners to better themselves.

“(There are) a lot of opportunities for us in the prison to better ourselves and to have hope when we do get out one day, not just myself but 1500 prisoners in here, that we have all learned skills not to come back to prison and reoffend but to live a successful happy life on the outside.”

Norman has not seen Lawrence since she was moved from Kerobokan prison in 2013.

Tomorrow she will walk free and head home to Australia.

Originally published as Bali Nine member Matthew Norman reveals thoughts on Renae Lawrence’s release