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Jan 13, 2010
Rich prisoners enjoy perks
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Businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, convicted last year for bribing prosecutors, was reportedly interrupted in the middle of a laser beauty treatment in her 64-square-metre apartment-style 'cell'. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
<!-- story content : start --> JAKARTA - THE Indonesian government - which has promised to stamp out corruption - was embarrassed by revelations on Tuesday that rich and connected prisoners were living in luxury behind bars. Details of the perks for wealthy and influential inmates were front-page news after a team established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to probe judicial corruption conducted a snap inspection of a women's jail. Businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, convicted last year for bribing prosecutors, was reportedly interrupted in the middle of a laser beauty treatment in her 64-square-metre apartment-style 'cell'. Her perks included a double bed, air conditioning, flat-screen television, a refrigerator, private kitchen and bathroom, and a playpen for children, according to The Jakarta Globe newspaper.
'We deeply regret that several prisoners might have received special treatment,' presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha told AFP. 'But the findings should be seen as positive and there will be more ahead,' he added, referring to the president's promise to crush what he has called the 'court mafia' that runs the country's dilapidated judicial system. 'President Yudhoyono believes that all inmates should receive equal treatment. There shouldn't be any privileges or special dispensations for prisoners,' he said. Mr Pasha said the fact that a Yudhoyono-appointed team had been sent to inspect the prisons was evidence of his sincerity, although critics say the team lacks authority and point to Dr Yudhoyono's failure to take more decisive action. 'It's not true that Yudhoyono has gone soft on eradicating corruption,' the spokesman said. 'All the problems related to the judicial mafia can't be solved overnight.' -- AFP
Home > Breaking News > SE Asia > Story
Jan 13, 2010
Rich prisoners enjoy perks
<!-- end left side bar -->
Businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, convicted last year for bribing prosecutors, was reportedly interrupted in the middle of a laser beauty treatment in her 64-square-metre apartment-style 'cell'. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
<!-- story content : start --> JAKARTA - THE Indonesian government - which has promised to stamp out corruption - was embarrassed by revelations on Tuesday that rich and connected prisoners were living in luxury behind bars. Details of the perks for wealthy and influential inmates were front-page news after a team established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to probe judicial corruption conducted a snap inspection of a women's jail. Businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, convicted last year for bribing prosecutors, was reportedly interrupted in the middle of a laser beauty treatment in her 64-square-metre apartment-style 'cell'. Her perks included a double bed, air conditioning, flat-screen television, a refrigerator, private kitchen and bathroom, and a playpen for children, according to The Jakarta Globe newspaper.
'We deeply regret that several prisoners might have received special treatment,' presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha told AFP. 'But the findings should be seen as positive and there will be more ahead,' he added, referring to the president's promise to crush what he has called the 'court mafia' that runs the country's dilapidated judicial system. 'President Yudhoyono believes that all inmates should receive equal treatment. There shouldn't be any privileges or special dispensations for prisoners,' he said. Mr Pasha said the fact that a Yudhoyono-appointed team had been sent to inspect the prisons was evidence of his sincerity, although critics say the team lacks authority and point to Dr Yudhoyono's failure to take more decisive action. 'It's not true that Yudhoyono has gone soft on eradicating corruption,' the spokesman said. 'All the problems related to the judicial mafia can't be solved overnight.' -- AFP
