Two Malaysian inmates at Pekanbaru Prison receive Nyepi remission

Pekanbaru - Two foreign national inmates at Class II A Pekanbaru Penitentiary, both from Malaysia, have received Special Religious Remission (RK) for Nyepi, with each granted a two-month sentence reduction. Riau Regional Office Head of the Directorate General of Corrections, Maizar, presented the Remission Decrees accompanied by the Warden of Class II A Pekanbaru, Yuniarto, on Thursday. The two inmates are Mauandy Thever Gopalakhrisnan and Selva Kumar Balakarisnan. “The granting of this remission is a tangible manifestation that the state is present to give appreciation to every inmate who sincerely strives to improve themselves. There is no discrimination here, whether Indonesian citizens or foreign nationals, as long as they meet the requirements and behave well, their rights will be fulfilled,” said Maizar. He stated that both have been assessed to meet substantive and administrative requirements, as well as demonstrating significant behavioural changes during their imprisonment at Pekanbaru Penitentiary. The granting of remission is a form of state appreciation for the inmates’ self-transformation process. In agreement, Warden of Class II A Pekanbaru, Yuniarto, stated that the success of guidance in the prison is inseparable from the inmates’ own willingness to adapt to the applicable rules. “I hope this remission becomes motivation, not only for the two of them, but for all other inmates to continue obeying the rules and following the guidance programmes with a sincere heart,” said Yuniarto. One of the remission recipients, Mauandy Thever Gopalakhrisnan, expressed gratitude and thanks to the Indonesian government, particularly the Pekanbaru Penitentiary. Although a foreign national, he feels treated very fairly and humanely. “This remission is a great gift for me on this holy Nyepi day, and it makes me even more enthusiastic to become a better person before returning to my home country,” he said.