TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Legal and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said he was concerned about the management of Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung. Laoly made the statement in light of recent reports that former Bekasi Mayor-cum-graft convict Mochtar Muhammad had been spending time in Jakarta last week.
Laoly said he had also heard rumors of inmates roaming in and out of the prison—even owning a house near the facility. "I will come [to the prison] to check [the rumors]," said Laoly. The minister said he had also formed a team to look into the rumors.
Laoly said Mochtar was currently in the inmate assimilation process at the prison, and that the latter went to Jakarta to purchase fertilizer. "The strange thing is why he should buy it in Jakarta," he said.
Laoly suspected a violation had taken place as Mochtar was in Jakarta until evening. "Inmate assimilation is done until afternoon, not in the evening," he said.
The Corruption Eradication Commission has blasted the Sukamiskin Prison management over the incident. The Supreme Court sentenced Mochtar Muhammad to six years behind bars for involvement in four graft cases in 2011.
ANDI RUSLI
