Govt to free 80 political prisoners

JAKARTA (JP): Newly elected President Abdurrahman Wahid, in his first move to promote national reconciliation, is considering the release of 80 political prisoners, including chairman of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Outgoing State Secretary/Minister of Justice Muladi said on Monday that the clemency would be granted to the political prisoners, mostly East Timorese, immediately after approval from the House of Representatives.

"Under the amended 1945 Constitution, the President is obliged to seek approval from the House in providing amnesty for political prisoners," Muladi said after accompanying Abdurrahman in a meeting with House Speaker Akbar Tandjung at the State Guest House.

Muladi said the government hoped to gain a positive response from the House for the sake of human rights recognition and the national reconciliation agenda.

He said the new government would also rehabilitate the names and professions of 40 of the political prisoners.

"The political prisoners' names will be rehabilitated and they will be returned to their former jobs if they were civil servants."

He declined to identify the 40 political prisoners but said most of them were involved in separatist activities in East Timor, Aceh and Lampung.

He said Budiman and several other PRD activists were also likely to be included under the amnesty from the President for the same reasons.

Then president B.J. Habibie offered in July to release Budiman but the latter refused on the grounds that his conviction would still stand.

Muladi also said the government was expected to propose to the House the replacement of Chief Justice Sarwata who is entering retirement age. (prb/rms)ii