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...

Indonesian Prison Cells for the Rich and Famous...

Well, it seems that money is not only an asset on the outside, but it is also an asset on the inside as well. In this case, being on the inside refers to how much luxury one can afford to pimp out their cell with.

The above picture is of a cell occupied by Artalyta Suryani. Now, Suryani is enjoying her five years behind bars for bribing public prosecutors with regular spa treatments, plasma televisions, a karaoke room, a private bedroom, and a room to receive guests (the photo). Of course, all these special privileges are denied from ever being present or occurring. Nevertheless, perception is a powerful tool. Most Indonesians believe that the rich and famous can buy their way to special treatment in prisons,and this little expose by a government appointed fact finding team (a team tasked with rooting out and eradicating the judicial mafia) seems to confirm it.

On the luxury jail front. There were always rumours that Tommy Soeharto led a comfortable existence on Nusakambangan when he was incarcerated there. There were not only rumours about luxury living conditions, but also special "passes" for some cruising to Singapore for weekends away and the like. It is worth pointing out that I have not read anything that confirms those Tommy related rumours. However, the luxury living conditions seem to be standard fare for the well-to-do prisoners.

It would seem that perhaps Schapelle Corby is not living in the laps of luxury at Kerobokan that some other well-heeled prisoners enjoy in other jails throughout the archipelago.

Oh well.

Russian Billionaires and US Real Estate

Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian billionaire, who made his fortune in fertilizer has dropped a cool USD 100 million to buy Maison de l'Amitie from Donald Trump. A house that sells for 100 million dollars has got to be some seriously good real estate.

It is not like Rybolovlev cannot afford it. His personal wealth is estimated to be at USD 13 billion and his company, Uralkali, is capitalized at some USD 33 billion. Nevertheless, the property was not bought to become the family home. Rybolovlev intends to remain living in Moscow and sees the property as an investment for the future. It might be a good buy provided the bottom does not fall out of the super luxurious housing market. Donal Trump acquired the 3,000 sq. foot Maison for USD 41.4 million at a bankruptcy auction. So, the Trump has more than doubled his investment. Yet, the property was originally listed for sale at USD 125 million.

The lives of the rich and famous!