Paskah has not been released: Cipinang penitentiary

Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 10/31/2011 2:55 PM

Despite earlier reports, Cipinang penitentiary says it has not yet released former national development planning minister Paskah Suzetta, on parole.

“No, he has not been released,” Cipinang penitentiary chief Suharman told reporters on Monday.

Suharman asserted that there was no connection to the recent moratorium on remissions and parole for corruption and terrorism convicts.

“We do not see the link,” he said. “We have definitely not put him on parole."

Paskah was sentenced to 16 months in prison in mid-June after being found guilty of accepting Rp 600 million (US$68,400) in the form of 12 travelers' checks that were allegedly paid to win Miranda Swaray Goeltom a Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor post in 2004.

Earlier it was reported that Paskah may soon be granted parole.

Jakarta Corruption Court also sent to prison four of Paskah's colleagues from the Golkar Party, who at that time were lawmakers and members of House of  Representatives Commission IX overseeing finance. They all were sentenced to 16 months in prison.

The lawmakers are Ahmad Hafiz Zawawi, Martin Bria Seran, Bobby Suhadirman and Anthony Zeidra.

The case has also imprisoned another 23 former lawmakers from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP) and the now-defunct army/police faction.

Ayin may not be released on Jan. 27

Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 01/26/2011 2:26 PM | National

Former “luxury cell” occupant, businesswoman Artalyta “Ayin” Suryani can not be released on parole on Jan. 27 until she is issued with an official letter of approval, Correctional Facility Director General Untung Sugiono said.

“No decision has been made. The official approval has not been issued yet,” Untung said Wednesday.

Untung added, however, that if the letter was ready by tomorrow then Artalyta could be released as planned.

Earlier, a correctional observation team comprising officials from the Law and Human Rights Ministry and representatives from Tangerang Women's Penitentiary, the local prosecutor’s office and the National Police, which finished their inquiry two days ago, concluded that Artalyta had met both substantial and administrative requirements to be released on parole.

Previously, Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar had said Artalyta was scheduled to be released on parole on Jan. 27.

In 2008, Artalyta was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to five years in prison.

In 2010, the Supreme Court cut her jail sentence by six months, just three months after the Judicial Corruption Taskforce found she had bribed prison guards to transfer her into a luxury cell.

After authorities learned of this violation, Artalyta was denied a sentence remission.