House demands Nurdin's temporary released

Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A group of House of Representatives legislators from the Golkar Party asked the police on Thursday to release Nurdin Halid, a suspect in the smuggling of tons of sugar, to enable him to celebrate Idul Fitri with his family.

In their letter, the 25 lawmakers, including Mujib Rahmat, Mamat Rahayu, Herman Widyananda, M. Akil, Ade Komaruddin, Agusman Effendi, Bambang Sadono and Ferry M. Baldan, said they would provide a guarantee that Nurdin would not flee, destroy evidence or skip out on police questioning sessions.

The letter, which was directed to National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, said Nurdin's family was longing for his presence at home during Idul Fitri, which falls on Sunday.

The House members also said Nurdin was the only breadwinner in the family and that his children, who are all still young and wife were in need of Nurdin's guidance.

They also asserted that Nurdin had been cooperative during the police investigation.

Nurdin is a businessman and former Golkar lawmaker.

Nurdin, who chairs the Confederation of Primary Cooperatives Association (Inkud), is one of several suspects in the smuggling of 73,000 tons of sugar from Thailand into Indonesia last May.

He has been in detention since July 17, although he spent over one month at the police hospital due to illness. His detention period will expire on Nov. 26, but the investigators have said they would extend the detention for another 30 days.

A request for a temporary release from custody is allowed under Article 31 of the Criminal Law Procedures Code with certain conditions.

However, the decision to approve the request lies solely with the investigators.

Normally, such a request comes from the detainee's family or close relatives.

The police are trying to complete Nurdin's case file, which has been returned by the prosecutors at least two times due to lack of documents.

Chairman of House Commission III overseeing law, human rights and security, Teras Narang, said such a request was nothing unusual as long as it met the conditions.

"Even if it's made by House members, in the end of course it is up to those with the authority to make the decision," he said.

National Police Director for Economic Crimes Brig. Gen. Andi Chaeruddin said assurances from the House members did not automatically mean the investigators would grant the request.