The Problem with the Indonesian Remission System...

This is probably not an expose on the scale of Wikileaks. However, thanks to my mate Treespotter, we do have access to some interesting documents that highlight how poorly organised the remission system is in Indonesia. The files attached to his post relate to the case of Artalyta Suryani or Ayin. Ayin was convicted and sentenced to prison in a corruption case. She was found guilty of bribing a prosecutor.

Ayin's case did not end there. She decided that as a woman of means, she would spruce up her cell a little. So, in agreement with the relevant jail authorities she co-opted a couple of cells and made them into a little fiefdom where she ran a beauty salon and a karaoke parlour. Her enlarged cell also had a visiting room where she could entertain guests.

Unfortunately for Ayin, the word leaked regarding her luxury set up and a random raid uncovered her souped-up cell arrangement. Her punishment was that she was not to receive a remission in 2010. Remissions are at the discretion of the relevant authorities. These authorities are ultimately at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Human Rights who will have the final say on a remission. Nevertheless, it was a surprise to see a convict who was not supposed to be getting any remissions in 2010 because of her bad behaviour end up with a remission of 2 months and 20 days.

In the words of Treespotter:

"Hypocrisy really knows no bounds".

Perhaps it is time that Indonesians stopped buying into this diversion called SBY and came to understand that there are obviously more powerful interests above the president that really run the show in Indonesia. The war on corruption is an illusion and the president is a fraud.

In essence, the first document authorises a remission for Ayin. The second document, at point 5, notes that Ayin is not to be granted any remissions in 2010.

This whole sorry saga is seemingly another black mark against the name of the Minister for Justice and Human Rights who simply has no control over the Ministry that he leads. Then again, with a leader like SBY, what does a lowly minister have to fear. The president is too busy trying to sure up his legacy and promote himself as an international statesman worthy of the Secretary General's post at the UN to be too worried about undeserved remissions for corruptors.

Ho hum...