Budiman's father set to give thanks if son released

Budiman's father set to give thanks if son released

JAKARTA (JP): The father of jailed Democratic People's Party
(PRD) leader Budiman Sudjatmiko said on Saturday he would
organize charitable activities to express gratitude to God if his
son was released.

Wartono Karyo Utomo said he and his wife Sri Sularsi had saved
enough money to finance a mass circumcision and the slaughtering
of goats for distribution of the meat to the poor, which was his
son's wish.

"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), we can't wait for him to be
released," Wartono told The Jakarta Post.

Minister of Justice Muladi disclosed on Thursday the
government planned to release Budiman, other PRD leaders and 10
former communist rebels.

"Budiman did not say anything about the possible release when
(I visited him) on Wednesday. But I do hope it will become a
reality," Wartono said.

PRD activists received sentences from 18 months to 13 years.
Budiman, jailed in Cipinang Prison in East Jakarta, received the
stiffest verdict. PRD secretary-general Petrus Hari Haryanto was
sentenced to six years. Under Soeharto's regime, PRD was declared
an illegal organization.

President B.J. Habibie's administration has reversed the ban,
and PRD has been selected as one of the 48 political parties to
contest the June 7 general election.

During her visit here on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright urged Habibie to release the country's
political prisoners, as did a rights activist from Germany
earlier on the week.

From taking office in May through to last December, Habibie
had released 109, including four PRD leaders, of the country's
232 political prisoners and detainees.

Former communist rebels were in jail for more than 30 years
for involvement in the abortive 1965 coup, blamed on the
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

"The release of the former communist prisoners is based on
humanitarian reasons because most of them are old and sick,"
Muladi said on Friday.

Wartono said his son's release would enable PRD to consolidate
to face the general election.

"In politics, Budiman is my boss," said Wartono, who was
recently elected PRD chapter chairman in Bogor, West Java, where
he lives.

Wartono insisted he was not elected because he was Budiman's
father.

"As an anti-KKN (the Indonesian acronym for corruption,
collusion and nepotism) fighter, of course my son will not
tolerate such practices," said Wartono, who visits his son at
least once a week.

He conceded that Budiman's colleagues had worked hard to get
him elected, arguing the party needed a senior activist.

"Budiman was surprised and then burst into laughter when I
reported to him about my election," Wartono recalled.

He hopes his new post will be officiated as soon as his son,
29, is released. He is ready to follow orders from the son he
called "my new idol".

"My son is quite stubborn, so I have to give in to him."

Budiman and his family have suffered from alleged
antigovernment activities. Budiman was initially branded the son
of a communist family, and Wartono had to retire as an employee
of the PT Goodyear in May 1997 because the company could not
stand government pressure.

"I was caught red-handed by security apparatus when
distributing PRD pamphlets on Bogor streets, calling people to
boycott the 1997 elections (under Soeharto)," he recalled. (prb)