Bandung, W Java (ANTARA) -
The Law and Human Rights Ministry's Regional Office immediately transferred electronic identity card (e-id) corruption case convict Setya Novanto from Sukamiskin Prison, Bandung, to Gunung Sindur Prison, Bogor, after being caught wandering in Padalarang, West Bandung.

"My actions, as head of the regional office, tonight, will be to move Setnov (Setya Novanto) to the Gunung Sindur prison after this press conference," Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, West Java, Liberti Sitinjak, stated on Friday night.

Sitinjak remarked that on account of his actions, Novanto was moved to Gunung Sindur Lapas that has special maximum-security blocks. Sitinjak said he will notify the law and human rights minister over the incident.

"In my opinion, this needs to be done temporarily before I can report to the minister. I will do this first," he noted.

The former chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives and general chair of the Golkar Party DPP was transferred from the Sukamiskin Prison area aboard an ambulance at around 22:30 WIB.

Sitinjak highlighted the urgency to act firmly against the e-id corruption case convict, as he views Novanto's actions as amounting to that of gross violation.

Furthermore, he remarked that currently, the guards accompanying Novanto were undergoing an investigation over the news of the trip. In the meantime, Novanto will face questioning once he is in Gunung Sindur Lapas.

"We have conducted the examination tonight, but it is not certain that it can be completed tonight. I am upbeat that by Tuesday or Wednesday at the most, it can be completed, so we know where the red thread is," Sitinjak remarked.

Hence, he, representing the West Java Legal and Human Rights office, expressed apologies over the negligence. He remarked that during that time, the doctor's recommendations showed that Novanto required treatment.

"On behalf of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, I apologize to the public and law enforcement officials that what transpired today is our weaknesses and mistakes," he stated.

Novanto was caught wandering in a building shop located in Padalarang. In a photo circulating on social media, Novanto was seen wearing a short-sleeved shirt and black hat, with his face covered in a mask.

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Sri Haryati
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