TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) reported that more than half of 564 corruptors received light sentences between one and four years in prison throughout 2015.

“Of all the 564 defendants, as many as 401 of them received light sentences with an average sentence of two years and two months in prison,” ICW researcher Lola Easter said at the ICW office in South Jakarta on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

A total of 226 convicts were sentenced to up to two years in prison, 67 convicts were sentenced to up to two and a half years in prison, 47 of them were sentenced to up to three and half years in prison, and 61 others received sentences of up to 4 years in prison.

Lola added that the figure was significantly higher than those who received moderate sentences (four to ten years in prison) or heavy sentences (more than ten years in prison). Data from the ICW revealed that the number of convicts receiving moderate sentences was 56, while that receiving heavy sentences was only 3 convicts.

“As many as 35 convicts were not identified and a total of 68 suspects were set fee,” she added.

Although the number of convicts receiving light sentences was considerably high, the figure had decreased compared to those in 2013 and 2014. In 2013 and 2014, the percentages of convicts receiving light sentences were 79.6 percent and 78.6 percent, respectively. In 2015, the figure dropped to 71.1 percent.

“However, it reflects that the number of light sentences [given to corruptors] remains high and is not decreasing significantly,” she said.

ISTMAN MP