Indonesia Independence Day remissions a mystery to many

Indonesia has today given sentence remissions to 10 convicted people guilty of aiding and abetting the Kuta bombings in 2002 which killed 202 people. Indonesia hands out remissions across the board for criminals who show good behavior. Six men involved in the Oct. 12, 2002, terror strikes that claimed 202 lives – 88 of them Australians – had their sentences cut by five months, said Ilham Djaya, the chief warden at Bali’s main prison, citing good behavior. Four others convicted for the 2005 attacks that left 20 people dead received two month remissions, he said.

What kind of message this sends out is anyone’s guess, act savagely then behave yourself in jail maybe? As the Jakarta Post reports, evil Schapelle Corby did not get a remission because she was found using her cell phone in jail. Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.

Australian drug convict exempted from independence remission

DENPASAR (Antara): Australian drug convict Schapelle Leigh Corby, 29, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, could not be given a remission as she was found using a cellular phone inside her cell at the Denpasar penitentiary on July 23, an official said.

The penitentiary had earlier suggested that Corby received six-month remission on Aug. 17, 2007 but aborted the plan after she committed a violation by hiding and using a communication gadget while she was serving her jail term, Denpasar penitentiary head Ilham Djaya said after accompanying Bali Governor Dewa Beratha who presented remission for other prisoners on Friday.

The Indonesian government annually gave remission to mark the anniversary of the national Independence Day.

Quoting Corby, Ilham said the cell phone had been used to contact her family members in Australia.

According to Corby, the communication gadget was given by her friend a week before she was found using the cell phone.

Corby who has been jailed for smuggling 4.2 kilograms of marijuana to world renowned island resort of Bali in October 2004, received a two-month remission when the country celebrated the 61st anniversary of the country`s Independence last year.

Nice to see the powers that be have their priorities straight.