Jailed political activists cook for fellow inmates
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)