Delay might mean nothing – or perhaps life itself

IN Indonesia nothing is done until it is done, so delays to moving the Bali duo offer a glimmer of encouragement.

IN Indonesia nothing is done until it is done. In this context, the series of delays to the moving of Myuran Sukamaran and Andrew Chan, preparatory to their execution, offers a glimmer of encouragement.

It would be utterly wrong to hold out false hope.The Indonesians have been clear in their official statements.

Tragically, it is still overwhelmingly likely the two Australians will be executed.

But in Indonesia, as Bruce Grant once famously observed, everything flows. Nothing is fixed. Nothing is black and white.

Some of the delays in the final processing of the two Australians seem contrived. That is a point to make sotto voce.

No one is complaining about the delays; they could have several explanations. They might just represent the normal argy-bargy of Indonesian process.

They might be contrived so that the Indonesian government can act with some courtesy towards the Australian government, making sure it has demonstrated it is taking time to listen to every official representation that Australia wishes to make.

But is there a chance that there is another explanation? That this time is being used by Jakarta to find a face-saving way out of the execution schedule?

The Abbott government has been extremely active in seeking clemency for these young men.

The Prime Minister made a mistake in mentioning aid at all, but it was a small mistake and immediate efforts were made to clear up any suggestion that Australia was using aid as a lever.

Much of the government’s efforts have been below the surface, out of sight, quiet. If the secret history of this episode is ever written Australians will be surprised at the extent of the emissaries, messages and discussions that have been held.

In Indonesia, delay is our friend. While there is delay, there is hope.