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Rich prisoners do not need to respect regulations: former convict
Gayus H
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Gayus H. Tambunan. (Tribunnews.com/Bian Harnansa) (Tribunnews.com/Bian Harnansa)
Gayus H. Tambunan. (Tribunnews.com/Bian Harnansa)
The appearances of imprisoned graft convict and former low-ranking tax officer Gayus Tambunan in public places is nothing extraordinary for former convict Bona Paputungan, because he often witnessed different treatment of rich and poor prisoners.
According to Bona, who was jailed for seven months at Gorontalo penitentiary for domestic violence, the rich prisoners could receive guests until late in the night, which likely violates the regulations inside the correction centers.
'We, the prisoners, have to respect regulations. But for wealthy people, they do not need to respect the regulations. They could receive guests until late in the night as long as they bribe the officers,' said Bona during a decision in Jakarta on Saturday.
Bona, who is also the composer of song 'Andai Aku Gayus Tambunan' (If I were Gayus Tambunan), said that in contrast, the poor prisoners have to respect the regulations or they face punishment.
Gayus admitted that he had a meal at a restaurant recently, the photo of which went viral on social media. It was a repeat of a similar incident in November 2010, when Gayus left the prison, while the trial of his case was still ongoing at the South Jakarta District Court.
On that occasion, a Kompas daily newspaper photographer took photos of him watching a 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions tennis match in Nusa Dua, Bali. Gayus was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a number of corruption and money laundering cases.
Meanwhile, Director General for Penitentiaries at the Law and Human Rights Ministry Akbar Hadi promised to tighten the monitoring system in prisons to prevent any violations against existing regulations.
Apart from installing modern devices to monitor prisoners, he also proposed more security officers escort prisoners, who have to leave their cells.
'In the existing regulation, it is also stated that the prisoners have to be accompanied by prison and police officers when they leave cells. But if there is a requirement that they to be escorted by 10 police officers, the prisoners would not easily visit restricted places,' said Hadi. (bbn)(++++)
