Tommy joint dad's golfing buddy in Nusakambangan jail
Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap/Jakarta
At 40, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the beloved son of former long-time ruler Soeharto, began on Thursday his new life as a prisoner, according to authorities.
The government, who has come under mounting criticism for its poor law enforcement, moved Tommy to Nusakambangan prison in an island off the Central Java town of Cilacap.
Tommy, who was convicted in a murder case and sentenced to 15 years in prison, joins his father's former golfing buddy and most trusted business associate Mohammad "Bob' Hasan, who is serving his jail term there after the court found him guilty in a graft case in March 2001.
Tommy apparently will occupy cell No. 17 B next to Bob's in the Batu prison, one of four penitentiaries situated on Nusakambangan. Both share Block 2 with 150 other prisoners, most of whom are convicted murderers.
Nusakambangan was home to some of the most wanted criminals in the country, including Kusni Kasdut and Johny Indo. Kusni was executed in February 1980.
Unlike other Nusakambangan-bound criminals, Tommy was transported by chartered plane from Pondok Cabe airport which belongs to Pelita Air Service in Tangerang, Banten just before sunrise on Thursday. From Tunggulwulung airport in Cilacap he was flown to Nusakambangan by helicopter, an extraordinary service from law enforcers who normally place criminals on a prison ferry to reach the isolated island.
Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Erwin Mappaseng was among the officers accompanying the VIP prisoner.
Nevertheless, Batu Penitentiary chief warden Sumantri told The Jakarta Post that there would be no more privileges for Tommy.
"He (Tommy) will receive no extra facilities. His cell floor is modest, not made of ceramic, and there is only a bathroom which includes a conventional water closet," Soemantri claimed.
He dismissed reports that Tommy was given a television set, telephone and other facilities he enjoyed when he served his six- month detention in Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta, but refused independent verification.
Tommy was arrested in November, 2001 after a year-long "manhunt" and was then placed under the Jakarta Police's custody before being transferred to Cipinang.
"No luxury facilities. Everything is normal," Soemantri reiterated.
Prison officials do not allow the press from actually entering the prison, supposedly as matter of procedure. So, witnessing Tommy's entry to his cell in Batu prison was also forbidden.
The 77-year-old penitentiary has changed a lot in terms of physical appearance since the arrival of Bob last year. Buildings there now look clean, a far cry from the recent past when it was known as the prison criminals most feared.
The iron fence surrounding the prison has been painted green.
Bob's presence has lead to a renovation of the At-Taubah Mosque in the penitentiary compound. Reports also said that prisoners there had grown fatter.
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Tommy was placed in the cell next to that of Bob on purpose.
"Perhaps Bob Hasan, as an elder, could give Tommy advice and make him repent. That's the positive side of Tommy's presence in the prison," Yusril said.
Yusril said the government informed Tommy's wife Regita Cahyani Ardya Pramesti, known as Tata, about the plan to move her husband on Wednesday via a letter. But the letter did not specify when the move would take place, according to the procedures.
One of Tommy's lawyers, Elza Syarief, said the timing of the move was not right for Tommy. She added that the decision had shocked Soeharto's family.
But Tommy will likely receive some consolation as the government is considering a remission of his jail term. Yusril will announce the reduction when the country celebrates its 57th anniversary of independence on Saturday.
Yusril said Tommy deserved the remission as he had already served eight months of detention while on trial, two months longer than the minimum requirement stipulated in Presidential Decree No. 174/1999.