No Need to Relocate Corruption Convicts from Sukamiskin: Kalla

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) said there is no need to relocate corruption inmates from Sukamiskin Prison to Nusakambangan. Kalla said that the Law and Human Rights Ministry only needs to return the cells into their previous state—removing the luxury facilities.

"An inmates` transfer depends on the Law and Human Rights Ministry. But I am sure that the cells will be returned to their previous state, so there would be no need to move [prisoners] to Nusakambangan," Kalla said here on Tuesday, July 24.

Read also: Minister Says Sukamiskin Prison Full of Temptation

JK said that the availability of luxury facilities in prison has been an old, recurring problem that prison guards and wardens had to deal with. But now, the KPK has acted decisively ad the Law and Human Rights Ministry followed-up on the antigraft body's findings.

The KPK instigated a sting operation in Sukamiskin Prison, Bandung, on Friday last week. They named several people as suspects, including warden Wahid Husen and his staff Hendry Saputra; and Fahmi's inmate, Andri Rahmat.

Read: KPK Nab Sukamiskin Prison Head Husband of Inneke Koesherawati

The KPK suspects that there are bribery practices in the prison—with inmates giving money to prison guards and officials to be allowed to leave the premises, get extra facility, and other facilities and conveniences.

During the operation, the KPK also confiscated two cars and Rp279.92 million and US$1,410 in cash. The commission also found that a number of cells had been decked with luxury facilities.

VINDRY FLORENTIN