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)