TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A spokesman for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Fadjroel Rachman, balked at commenting the reason for the president granting clemency to corruptor Annas Maamun. He handed the controversy over the pardon for the ex-governor Riau to the Ministry of Legal and Human Rights.

“That has been answered by the ministry,” said Fadjroel via a short message, Wednesday, November 27. He attached several online news articles in light of the matter.

The chief commissioner of PT Adhi Karya was also reluctant to respond to criticism voiced by human rights activists regarding the government’s commitment to eradicate corruption. “The ministry’s answer is enough. The ministry represents the government,” Fadjroel said.

President Jokowi trimmed the jail sentence of Annas from seven years to six years under a presidential decree No. 23/G of 2019, which was dated October 25.

The graft convict was initially scheduled for the release on October 3, 2021, but because of the pardon, Annas will be freed on October 3, 2019.

The Directorate-General of Corrections spokesman Ade Kusmanto explained that Annas’ clemency was granted due to his health condition. “One of the considerations is his age that is over 70 years old, presently he is at the age of 78 and often suffers a prolonged illness,” Ade said

Ade added that Annas had sustained several diseases, namely (acute COPD), dyspepsia syndrome (depression), gastritis (stomach), hernia, and shortness of breath.

Annas Maamun was sentenced to six years in prison by the Corruption District Court in 2015 as he was found guilty of receiving money related to the land-conversion into palm oil plantations in Riau forest. His sentence was later increased in the cassation level to 7 years in prison.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI