Tommy joint dad's golfing buddy in Nusakambangan jail

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.