Bob Hasan often absent from cell in Nusakambangan

Bob Hasan often absent from cell in Nusakambangan

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap

Speculations that wealthy and influential prisoners receive
special treatment have resurfaced this week with the revelation
that corruptor tycoon Muhammad "Bob" Hasan is frequently absent
from his prison cell in Nusakambangan, Central Java.

The disclosure of Bob's absence came from Central Java Police
Chief Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi, and was later confirmed by prison
chief Soemantri.

Soemantri revealed on Thursday that he allowed Bob, a long-
time golfing buddy of former president Soeharto, to leave Batu
Prison on Nusakambangan island once or twice a month for health
check-ups or other needs.

Soemantri said Bob Hasan's latest absence began on Tuesday
when he traveled to Jakarta for a heart check-up at Sarana Medika
Hospital in Central Jakarta.

The high-profile prisoner, guarded by seven police officers,
returned to the prison on Thursday evening, he added.

"What I have done is not odd in any way. Doctors here are not
capable of handling his disease. He has therefore been allowed to
receive medical treatment outside the prison," Soemantri told The
Jakarta Post.

He cited Article 14 of Law/No. 12/1995 on correctional
institutions, which allows a prisoner to procure external medical
treatment if prison doctors cannot treat the patient.

Bob Hasan was sentenced in 2000 by a Jakarta court to six
years in prison for a high-profile graft case. He is the only
close associate of Soeharto ever to be jailed for corruption.

Batu Prison is also home to Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo
"Tommy" Mandala Putra, who is serving a 15-year sentence for
murder and other crimes.

There have been widespread rumors that Tommy, too, has either
received special treatment or been frequently absent from the
prison, like Bob Hasan.

Didi Widayadi was quoted by Kompas daily newspaper as saying
on Wednesday that he was extremely worried about the behavior of
Soemantri, who has often failed to coordinate with police when
Bob Hasan left the prison.

Soemantri denied Didi Widayadi's accusation and said he always
coordinated with the Cilacap police to guard Bob Hasan while he
was absent from the prison. "If you don't trust me, please
contact the Cilacap Police chief," he added.

However, Soemantri told private television station RCTI later
on Thursday that "everything has been clarified" between him and
the local police. He did not elaborate further.

He claimed that Bob Hasan has so far been allowed to leave the
prison four times for medical check-ups.

However, Cilacap Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Arif Wahyunadi
said his office had received numerous requests from the prison
chief to escort Bob Hasan every time he left the prison.

"How frequent he (Bob Hasan) has left the prison, I don't
recall," he said.

Arif further said he could not refuse to provide a police
guard for Bob Hasan while Bob is outside the prison, as the legal
procedures regarding Bob's leave are in order.

"His health records are complete, so we have to be prepared to
provide a guard for him," he said.

According to Arif, a prison chief can issue a request to the
provincial police to release a prisoner for a health check-up or
other crucial needs. If the request is accepted, the provincial
police will issue an order to their subordinates in the region to
follow up.