25 criminals released in holiday gesture
25 criminals released in holiday gesture
JAKARTA (JP): Anyone can celebrate Idul Fitri, and, like in previous years, the past Idul Fitri celebration has brought freedom and happiness to several inmates at the Cipinang penitentiary and the Salemba detention center.
The Cipinang penitentiary warden, Mintardjo, said on Tuesday that 25 inmates were freed on the first day of Idul Fitri.
One of the freed inmates, Edi Nanang, a married man with a son, couldn't hide his happiness after finding out early that morning he would be freed.
"I will pay more attention to my son's future after I leave this jail," he told The Jakarta Post.
Makmun, another inmate freed for Idul Fitri, said that he would immediately return to his hometown in Kuningan, West Java. Makmun was a street trader in Kuningan before being jailed for stealing.
He said that he might return to selling household appliances when he gets home.
For those not lucky enough to be freed, the past Idul Fitri was nevertheless a happy time with most smiling and greeting whoever they met, including journalists covering the prison celebration.
Some hugged fellow inmates as if they had not met for decades.
Three members of the Lampung separatist movement, Sudarsono, Fauzi and Nurhidayat, were also involved in the celebration.
"We are not offended with the government because we have been put in the prison," Nurhidayat said.
"We have a very good time here. We can watch television and listen to the sermons on the radio," he said.
"The best thing is that it did not flood here," he added.
Harnoko Dewantono, known as Oki and serving two years for falsifying passports and using the fake documents, also took part in the celebration.
Wearing a blue Batik shirt and black trousers, Oki was seen greeting inmates and the guards with a hug after the prayer.
He then busied himself distributing cigarettes to the other inmates.
Oki is awaiting trial for his alleged role in the triple murder of his natural brother, his girlfriend and a business associate in Los Angeles, U.S. between 1991 and 1992. He was reluctant to talk to reporters.
He finally gave in and made a brief statement about his experience during the fasting month.
"I failed to complete my fasting. I had to break the fast for several days," he said before moving on.
Dicky Iskandar Di Nata, who is serving eight years for abusing his position as vice president of Bank Duta from 1988 to August 1990 in foreign exchange margin trading with Citibank in Jakarta, the National Bank of Kuwait and several banks in Singapore, only appeared for a moment.
Dicky, who is currently facing sexual assault charges, looked pale. "I have been ill for three days," he said.
At the Salemba detention center, inmate Pujiono was released on Tuesday. He was imprisoned for defrauding his neighbor of Rp 700,000 (US$303).
Pujiono, from Tanjung Pinang, Riau, said he would return to the city to start a new life with his family.
His wife and his daughter live in Paseban, Central Jakarta.
The Salemba detention center warden, R. Lukman Gozali, said on Tuesday that seven more inmates were to be released yesterday. (imn)