Jailed political activists cook for fellow inmates
JAKARTA (JP): Jailed political activists in Cipinang prison, East Jakarta, made special menus for fellow prisoners Sunday.
Labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan, serving a four-year sentence for inciting last year's labor unrest in Medan, North Sumatra, called the dishes "meals of harmony and brotherhood."
Meanwhile, in Salemba prison, Budiman Sujatmiko, leader of the unrecognized PRD (People's Democratic Party) said Pakpahan was "a great cook" with his Batak spices. They have eaten together before.
The activists in Cipinang, looking relaxed and happy, said they were inviting all inmates to the special chamber for visitors of people imprisoned for subversion to eat together.
After Idul Fitri prayers Pakpahan, a Christian, explained how the meal was prepared.
"The PRD activists cleaned the floor, spread out carpets, and prepared glasses and plates," he said. There were six PRD activists.
"Xanana (Alexandre Gusmao, East Timor separatist leader) is cooking calderada, Arsyad, on trial for trying to set up an Islamic state) pierced satay and Andi Syahputera, on trial for defaming the President, prepared soup," Pakpahan said.
Xanana was still cooking his Portuguese grilled beef, Pakpahan said.
Other well-known prisoners were Harnoko Dewantono, or Oki, and Siradjudin alias Pak De. The latter, serving a life sentence for murdering a model, got a suit worn by city Golkar chief Tadjus Sobirin, who delivered a sermon after the prayers.
The prayers brought a silent and solemn atmosphere to the prison.
A. Latief, convicted for life for his role in the 1965 coup d'etat attempt, said he hoped his third request for clemency to the President would be granted this year.
In Salemba, Robot Gedek, jailed for sexually assaulting and murdering minors, was one of many who got no visitors, a warden said.
Four other PRD leaders in Salemba, including Moslems Budiman and Suroso, celebrated their first Idul Fitri in jail with visiting human rights activist H.J.C. Princen.
Budiman said he had forgiven the country's leaders for their "individual sins" but had not forgotten "structural sins," referring to politically related issues.
At the Pondok Bambu detention center for delinquents and women, prisoners hugged each other and cried after the prayers.
"We remember our children," said Dewi, 29, a former hoodlum who has a daughter in junior high school.
Two prisoners 10-month terms ended and walked free Sunday and another was released yesterday.
Dewi and others prepared the hall for visitors although they were not expecting any. Families had to take turns as dozens waited outside in the rain.
Of 368 inmates, including 95 women, more than half got visitors Sunday and more were expected yesterday.
The most popular inmate, Zarina Mirafsur, on trial for possessing Ecstasy changed from a yellow tunic to a beige one at noon.
Although she failed to gain city arrest Zarina said she enjoyed her "different" Idul Fitri with other prisoners including Suparmi, convicted for her involvement in murdering a woman and three children.
Entin Martini, the acting executive of the detention center, said Zarina got bored waiting for her family and asked through guards to be summoned when they came.
Zarina amused everyone when she came out to greet relatives of other inmate. Her family turned up at 2 p.m.
Among visiting parents, Ngadiren, a widow and mother of seven from Indramayu, Central Java, said she was relieved her teenage son was now in a better cell. She said she had borrowed Rp 50,000 to remove him from a cell where he said he was repeatedly beaten by other inmates. (08/anr)