Suspicions raised by cell visit

Lawmaker Muhammad Nasir’s visit to the cell of his brother, graft suspect M. Nazaruddin, at the Cipinang Penitentiary has raised suspicion about possible political intervention in the prosecution of the former Democratic Party treasurer.

Nasir, a member of the House of Representatives Commission III overseeing law, human rights and security, used his clout as a lawmaker to make his way into the cell for what Justice and Human Rights Deputy Minister Denny Indrayana considered a personal visit.

It was Denny who disclosed information to the media about Nasir’s late night visit. He had made an unannounced visit to the Cipinang Penitentiary, where he saw footage from closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) inside Nazaruddin’s cell. It showed Nasir and two lawyers of graft convict Mindo Rosalina Manullang, Jufri Taufik and Arief Rahman, having a conversation.

In a press briefing soon after he saw the footage, Denny said that the visit was suspicious not only because it took place late on Wednesday but also because he was accompanied by Rosa’s lawyers. Rosa is Nazaruddin’s former employee who managed the graft money.

However, Denny on Friday toned down his statement.

Denny rejected speculation that Nasir had abused his authority as a politician to gain entry to his brother’s cell outside of visiting hours.

“He was there as a family member and not a House member,” he said.

The Justice and Human Rights Ministry has since dismissed the head of security at the Cipinang Penitentiary, identified as SAF, for allowing Nasir to go into the cell.

Fellow Commission III members have come forward to defend Nasir’s visit. “The visit was legal. Nothing was wrong about it because Nasir was there to represent his family. Also, Commission III has made an agreement with the justice and human rights minister and the Attorney General’s Office to grant access for commission members to penitentiaries in the country for supervision whenever they wish,” Commission III chairman Aziz Syamsuddin, a Golkar Party member, told reporters.

He blamed the media for exaggerating the visit.

“I don’t know why people make a big deal out of this visit,” he said.

Nasir said that his visit only related to family matters.

“I went there because Nazaruddin was sick and he refused to go to the hospital. I don’t know why people are so concerned about it. I am a House member and I have the right to see anyone [in the prison] anytime,” he said.

Fellow lawmaker Nasir Jamil, a member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), was concerned about the possible abuse of power during the visit.

“I don’t know whether the visit was meant to be for supervision or for personal reasons. It is true that the Justice and Human Rights Ministry has given us free access, but this should not be abused for personal reasons.

“Furthermore, members of House Commission III are obliged to notify their leaders before they make a visit. And as far as I know, Nasir didn’t inform us about the visit, if it was meant as supervision. The visit was also wrong because it was made late at night,” he said.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said the antigraft body was deeply concerned about the visit. “We will see if the visit would influence the graft trial or not,” Johan said.

Special treatment

M. Nazaruddin was arrested in Cartagena, Colombia on Aug. 9, 2011

Warden at the Kelapa Dua Detention Center in Depok, West Java confiscated a Blackberrry smartphone from him on Aug. 25, 2011

Repeatedly during trials at the Jakarta Corruption Court he claimed to have fallen ill. Some of trials have been adjourned because of Nazaruddin’s ill health throughout. January 2012

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana revealed that Muhammad Nasir, brother of Nazaruddin paid visit  to his cell at night. February 2012