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.