Yogyakarta – The Indonesian government is set to free more political prisoners soon, Justice Minister Muladi disclosed here on Monday.

He said to be released would be prisoners who had behaved well in jail or who had been victims of repressive acts of the former government. "Beteen 75 and 100 political prisoners will be freed," he said adding that their exact number could not yet be confirmed because identification was still going on.

"The release will be carried out in conjunction with National Independence Day (August 17)," he told the press. Muladi said the move would be made solely upon the spirit of reform with the aim of creating a better national life. He denied there had been any pressure from any quarters.

Speaking about a government regulation on demonstrations (Perpu No 2/1998) which had drawn widespread public criticism, Muladi said the regulation was still being discussed in the House of Representatives (DPR) so there was still opportunity to have corrections made to it. "The government's basic thinking in the regulation is that the right to hold demonstrations should be protected by law but they must always in orderly manner," he said.

Muladi said the government would be open to receive any complaints about details of the regulation. "In principle, it is the DPR and the people that have to be active in refining it. Don't hastily reject it," he said.