Ministers ends lawmaker freedom to visit prisoners

Amir Syamsuddin (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin said on Monday that the ministry had revoked the authority of the 16 “enter-jail-free” cards that it gave to lawmakers from House commission III overseeing law.

The “enter-jail-free” cards bestowed by the ministry to the lawmakers came under intense public scrutiny last week after deputy minister Denny Indrayana conducted an impromptu visit to Cipinang Penitentiary and unexpectedly spotted Democratic Party lawmaker Muhammad Nasir on a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) talking to Muhammad Nazaruddin, a suspect in high-profile graft case.

The meeting between Nasir and his brother Nazaruddin took place at 8 p.m. and was held outside the Cipinang Penitentiary’s visiting hours, which last only until 3.30 p.m, and has prompted suspicion about the alleged political intervention in the prosecution of the former Democratic Party treasurer.

The minister said that, although Commission III lawmakers could visit penitentiaries to enforce their supervision role, they would no longer possess special authority granted by their so-called “enter-jail-free” cards.

“[The cards] are no longer valid,” Amir said as quoted by tempo.co, adding that it was important for lawmakers to coordinate with his ministry in conducting supervision of penitentiaries.

Amir discharged three top-brass officials in his Jakarta office on Sunday as the ministry’s response to the case, stating in his press briefing that the ministry would soon hold fit-and-proper tests to pick the replacements for the ousted officials. (sat)