Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin has dismissed four officials of the Directorate General of Corrections over lawmaker Muhammad Nasir`s visit to the cell of graft suspect M. Nazaruddin outside visit hours at the Cipinang Penitentiary.

The four were head of the East Jakarta municipal office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry Taswin Tasrip, head of correction division at the Directorate General of Corrections Haviludin, head of the Cipinang Penitentiary Suharman and head of the Cipinang Penitentiary`s security unit Foneka Afandi.

"Of course, the dismissal was based upon mature considerations. We saw the matter must be decided quickly so we replaced them today," the minister said here on Sunday.

He said Nasir`s visit to the cell of his brother named a suspect in the SEA Games athletes village corruption case violated the law.

"Even a lawyer who has the right to meet his/her client at a cell cannot do that round the clock," he said.

Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana said M Nasir came to the penitentiary at around 09.00 p.m. according to Nazaruddin`s guestbook.

"Even when I came there at 11.00 p.m. he was still there. According to the rule, one is allowed to make a cell visit for a maximum of a half hour," he said.

According to Nazaruddin`s guestbook, Denny said Nasir had frequently visited Nazaruddin at his cell even on holidays. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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