Tommy tastes bitter exile

Tommy tastes bitter exile

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In spite of some privileges, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala will probably
remember his first days in the remote Batu Penitentiary in the
Central Java island of Nusakambangan as the toughest time in his
life.

Strict rules are imposed on all inmates serving their prison
terms there, including the prince of Cendana, as local media
refer to Tommy who has been sentenced to 15 years for
masterminding the murder of Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin
Kartasasmita last year.

Prison warden Soemantri told Antara on Saturday that former
president Soeharto's youngest son Tommy, like other inmates, was
allowed visitors twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.

But the prison broke the rule by allowing Tommy's sisters Siti
Hediati "Titik" Harijadi and Siti Hutami "Mamiek" Endang
Adiningsih and his son Dharma to meet Tommy on Wednesday. The
special guests arrived on the island in a helicopter.

Reports said Siti Hastuti "Tutut" Hardijanti Rukmana, the
eldest among Soeharto's children, was originally included in the
visitor list but later decided to skip the trip.

Soemantri said they were the only visitors Tommy had so far,
in contrast with the time when he was in the custody of the
Jakarta Police and later in Cipinang Penitentiary before his move
to Nusakambangan on Aug. 15.

While on the run before his arrest late in November last year,
Tommy frequently managed to sneak into his home in the tightly-
guarded Menteng area, Central Jakarta with the help of security
officers.

Soemantri said Tommy's wife, Ardhia Pramesti Regita "Tata"
Cahyani, had not seen her husband in the prison so far.

The warden asserted that only family could visit Tommy.

"His former girlfriends of course are not allowed to see him
here," Soemantri said.

He argued that the policy was needed to prevent quarrels
between inmates and their wives. He recalled an incident in the
past that occurred after an inmate received both his wife and
girlfriend at the same time.

One of Tommy's girlfriends, Sandy Harun, is on trial on
charges of helping the fugitive escape arrest.

Barring unforeseen turnarounds in the legal process against
him, the high-profile criminal inmate will have to wait
seven-and-a-half years to meet his family outside the prison.

The existing procedures allow an inmate to mingle with family
or community during working hours as part of the assimilation
program to prepare for his release. The permit is given after an
inmate serves half of his jail term.

Soemantri said Tommy, who is undergoing his 30-day orientation
period, had no problems with the modest prison meals. The side-
dishes vary, ranging from tempeh to salted fish.

Tommy stays in cell number 17 B just next to that of his
father's former business associate Mohammad Hasan. Minister of
Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Hasan was
expected to serve as Tommy's mentor.

Like the other 173 inmates in Batu Penitentiary, Tommy has to
attend morning and afternoon parades. He also has to share a
television set with others.

The only complaint heard from Tommy was that he was bitten by
mosquitoes at night.

Soemantri said Tommy had asked for liquid pesticide to spray
the mosquitoes.

"I suggested he apply mosquito repellent instead," Soemantri
said, adding that it was just a precaution.