'Bob' Hasan transferred from Salemba to Cipinang

JAKARTA (JP): Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, a convicted timber tycoon and golf buddy of former president Soeharto, was transferred to the Cipinang penitentiary in Central Jakarta less than 12 hours after he was sent to the Salemba detention center, also in the same district.

Reports said that Hasan, who was sent to Salemba detention center on Tuesday at 11 a.m., was moved to Cipinang correctional institution later in the night, at around 10 p.m.

Earlier this month the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Hasan to two years for graft. Strangely, it allowed the convict to spend the sentence at home because during the trial Hasan was put under house arrest.

In response to the prosecutors' appeal, the Jakarta High Court decided on Feb.10 to lift the house arrest. Based on the ruling, Hasan was sent to the Salemba detention center.

One of Hasan's lawyers, Chairunnisa Jafizhan, said that his client was moved to Cipinang correctional institution because Salemba detention center was overcrowded, Kompas.com reported.

An employee at the center said Tuesday that the institution, which had a capacity of 753 people, held 1,856 detainees. Hasan had to share a two-meter by 2.5 meter room with East Timorese prointegration fighter Eurico Guterres and another detainee.

Prosecutor Arnold Angkow said he was not aware about the transfer of Hasan but he said that this was the right of the Salemba detention center.

The Cipinang correctional institution applies heavier security measures than the Salemba detention center and most of the detainees inside the building are 'high level' criminals whose sentences have been upheld by the court of appeal. (sim)