KPK Questions Prison Management over Graft Convict Excursion

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Deputy Commissioner of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Busyro Muqoddas has called on the Minister of Law and Human Rights Affairs Yasonna Laoly to evaluate Indonesia's penitentiary management system in relation to recent reports relating to unauthorized "excursions" done by graft convict Mochtar Muhammad, the former Mayor of Bekasi, who are detained in Sukamiskin Penitentiary in Bandung. 

"There is also a need to evaluate the current policy of detaining all corruption convicts in Sukamiskin, as it is highly possible that these convicts may collaborate out of solidarity to devise new methods of escaping their confines. If not, to control their graft activities from within the penitentiary," said Busyro on Wednesday evening, October 29, 2014. 

Mochtar has been convicted for a graft case relating to the 2010 Adipura Award, as well as the misuse of Bekasi's Budget (APBD) and bribing a Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) auditor. 

He was sentenced by the Supreme Court (MA) in 2012 to six years' imprisonment, slapped with a Rp300 million fine, and was ordered to return Rp639 million to the state. 

The director general for penitentiaries at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Affairs, Handoyo Sudrajat, has pledged to form a special investigative team to establish the facts of the case. 

According to Handoyo, Mochtar had already returned to Sukamiskin at midnight on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Handoyo also refuted claims that Mochtar was able to leave Sukamiskin for Jakarta because he had already been granted parole. 

"Parole has not been granted. He had lodged an application to leave the penitentiary and the application is currently being scrutinized. We do not have knowledge over the incident as not all incidents are reported to the central authorities," said Handoyo. 

ANTARA