Yusril challenges new graft convict remission policy

A former law minister, who is now a lawyer, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has announced plans to file for a judicial review of a recent Law and Human Rights Ministry policy that has temporarily halted the granting of remissions to graft convicts.

Yusril, who would represent graft convicts including former social affairs minister Bachtiar Chamsyah and former Mandiri bank executive director ECW Neloe, said Government Regulation No. 6/2006 regarding inmates’

treatment sets out clear provisions for inmates who meet certain criteria to receive remissions.

“I fail to comprehend why the ministry wants to issue a new policy that contradicts another regulation. It doesn’t make sense,” he said Tuesday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana recently issued a policy that prohibits all penitentiary facilities from granting freedom to graft convicts. The policy was made following reports and allegations that graft convicts were finding ways to get out of prison early by paying off prison supervisors.

As a result of the new policy, a number of graft convicts who had obtained letters granting their freedom were prohibited from leaving prisons.

Denny said the policy was a necessary means to help fight corruption.