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Your letters: Is Hartati a justice collaborator?
Back on the outside: Tycoon Siti Hartarti Murdaya attends a trial hearing on Feb
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Back on the outside:: Tycoon Siti Hartarti Murdaya attends a trial hearing on Feb. 4, 2013, at the Jakarta Corruption Court, which sentenced her to two years and eight months in prison for bribing then Buol regent Amran Batalipu in connection with a plantation permit in the South Sulawesi regency. Hartati was recently released on parole on Sept. 2. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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span class="inline inline-center">Back on the outside: Tycoon Siti Hartarti Murdaya attends a trial hearing on Feb. 4, 2013, at the Jakarta Corruption Court, which sentenced her to two years and eight months in prison for bribing then Buol regent Amran Batalipu in connection with a plantation permit in the South Sulawesi regency. Hartati was recently released on parole on Sept. 2. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
Based on the reason that Hartati Murdaya was a justice collaborator, Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin allowed Hartati (ex-treasurer of the Democratic Party, the political party chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) to leave Pondok Bambu Penitentiary on Tuesday.
This happened not even two months prior to the end of the President's tenure. Even though the authorities allowed her to leave the penitentiary under the agreement of the minister, I presume this would not have happened without the blessing of the President.
As explained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) speaker, Johan Budi, the KPK never consider Hartati a justice collaborator because she was at the center of the case itself, and to some extent, she gave dishonest information in court.
The question is, what is the reason the minister let her go? If there is no solid reason, people will think equality before the law is only an empty slogan. The strong citizens, in the sense of power and money, will easily escape punishment if they commit unlawful actions.
I strongly believe that the conditional discharge granted to Hartati was politically motivated. If that is the case, then the law enforcement in this country has retreated to the middle of nowhere. And if it also involves the President, it will ruin his legacy as sixth president of the Republic of Indonesia, in power for two terms.
It is the obligation of the minister to explain to the people of Indonesia the strong and logical reasons for granting Hartati conditional discharge.
M Sulhan Askandar
Jakarta
