The sister of the Bali nine’s youngest prisoner Matthew Norman fears this birthday may be her brother’s last
With her twin brother sentenced to death by firing squad, a pale and shockingly thin Cheryl Norman flew to Bali to celebrate what might be their last birthday together … their 21st. Cheryl is haunted by the fact her dear brother — the youngest of the Bali Nine — may not live to share future birthdays.
Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day, for the first time since Matthew’s 2005 arrest, Cheryl whispers, “I think about it all the time … all the time.
“It’s so scary. It’s always at the back of my mind, the death sentence … always,” she adds, with tears brimming.
“We’ve spent every birthday together since we were born, apart from our 19th just after he was arrested. I can’t imagine living without him,” she says.
“I love him. He’s the best brother and he’ll do anything for me. And I’ll do anything for him. But there is nothing I can do that will help him now. I’m powerless. What can I do?” she asks.
But Cheryl was determined to put on a brave face for their 21st celebration, despite the grim surroundings of Kerobokan Prison. They sat on the dirty concrete floor of the sweltering visitors’ area, crammed among the prison’s inmates, eating cakes and drinking Coca-Cola with about 13 friends and invited prisoners — including Schapelle Corby and several of the Bali Nine.
Bittersweet day
It was a million miles from the twins’ childhood birthdays, but their mum Robyn — who lives in Bali to look after Matthew — did her best to make it festive by laying out a spread of cakes, chips and chocolate.
“Matthew’s eyes really lit up for those couple of hours,” Robyn says.
Matthew, who rarely speaks to the press for fear of it hurting his last-ditch appeal against death — currently before the Supreme Court in Jakarta — says it was a bittersweet day.
“I just try to live every moment and make the most of times with my family,” says Matthew. “It was great to spend my birthday with Mum, Cheryl and a bunch of my friends. But I really regret what I’ve done, and putting everyone who loves me through this.”
For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale October 1)
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