Parole for corruption convicts hurts the public sense of justice and it is against our attempts to create a deterrent effect.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) accused the government of being too generous to release corruption convicts on parole.

KPK regretted that corruption convicts could easily win parole from the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, Johan Budi, the spokesman of the anti graft agency, said.

The KPK leaders have sent a letter to the Justice and Human Right Ministry protesting parole for corruption convicts, KPK spokesman Johan Budi said here on Friday.

"The policy is not in line with the spirit to eradicate corruption," Johan Budi said.

He said according to a government regulation recommendation from KPK is needed to release a corruption convict on parole.

"Unfortunately KPKs recommendations are often neglected by the decision maker," he said, adding, "if this is allowed to go on fear of prison punishment would no longer deter people from committing corruption.

Earlier, a former high ranking official of the ruling party convicted on graft was released on parole without fulfilling certain requirements.

Johan Budi said only convicts who have become justice collaborators are entitled to parole after serving two third of their jail terms.

Therefore, KPK hopes that the next government of Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla is consistent in carrying out their pre election campaign to stamp out corruption from the country, he said.

"KPK will continue to remind the two leaders of their promise to the people," he added.

KPK has strongly rejected proposal to release on parole Anggodo Widjojo, a convict trying to bribe KPK leaders.

The Sukamiskin prison has recommended parole for Anggodo, who was convicted for 10 years, but he has been granted a remission of 29 months and 10 days.

With the remission Anggodo has served two third of his jail term and he is entitled to parole, an official of the justice and human rights ministry said.

However, KPK, who described the remission of 29 months and 10 days as "extraordinary", said Anggodo is not a justice collaborator, therefore, he is not entitled to parole.

The proposal to release Anggodo on parole is being processed at the directorate general of correctional institution amid strong public protest including from KPK.

"Parole for corruption convicts hurts the public sense of justice and it is against our attempts to create a deterrent effect," observers said

Anggodo was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by the Jakarta anti corruption court for trying to bribe KPK in a bid to release his brother Anggoro Widjojo facing corruption case. Later the Supreme Court doubled his jail term to 10 years.

Information and Communications Director of the directorate general of correctional institutions Ibnu Chuldun said the parole proposal is still being studied.

"No approval is given yet," Ibnu said.

Ibnu also said the reason given for the remission is that Anggodo is suffering chronic illness.

"A convict suffering chronic illness is entitled to remission," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014