Expert Assures Pardon is Best Option for Baiq Nuril

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Constitutional law expert Bivitri Susanti said that granting a pardon for Baiq Nuril Maknun is the appropriate step that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo could do under the current circumstance.

Taking into consideration that Baiq Nuril’s appeal had been rejected by the Supreme Court (MA) and that clemency is impossible since it requires minimum 2-year imprisonment.

“From the justice standpoint for Ibu Nuril, the uncertainty would be too great if she files another appeal,” said Bivitri to Tempo Tuesday, July 9.

Bivitri said the meeting that was attended by Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly also came to the same conclusion and eventually discussed possible pardon to be granted to Nuril.

“We were invited to provide input on the process of granting a pardon based on constitutional law to Pak Yasonna,” said Bivitri.

Previously, the Legal and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said that he invited legal experts for a forum group discussion (FGD) on Baiq Nuril’s case. The measure was taken to draft juridical argumentations to be presented to the president related to the pardon for Nuril.

The session was also attended by the director general of legal administration (AHU) Cahyo Muzhar, director general of law and regulations Widodo Ekatjahjana, director of criminal affairs Lilik Sri Haryanto, Nuril’s lawyers Joko Jumadi and Widodo, as well as IT team from Communication and Information Ministry.

HALIDA BUNGA