Jakarta – The chairperson of the People's Democratic Party (PRD), Budiman Sudjatmiko has said that they [the PRD] have never recommended to anyone to present [a request] for clemency by the President. "We have never felt we have done wrong or carried out political crimes during the period of the New Order regime", wrote Budiman and Petrus H. Hariyanto (the secretary general of the PRD) in a written press statement received by Kompas on Tuesday, March 8.

"What we actually did was integral to the movement for total reformasi, of which one thing was demanding that Suharto resign. That is something that in reality has already become a fact and historical truth", wrote Budiman.

Budiman added that his being in jail is a result of political manipulation by the regime in order for it to maintain authoritarian political power. "Therefore we feel there is no need to obtain clemency to free us. Our freedom and the freedom of other political prisoners is a historical demand", he said.

In the statement Budiman rejected the clemency offered by the Minister of Justice, Muladi, along with demanding the release of all political prisoners though an amnesty with out any limits or conditions.

The reaction of Budiman's father, Wartono Utomo was slightly different.

"I am happy because the government will free Budiman. But Budiman will definitely reject being released if other PRD activists are not released as well", he explained when contacted by Kompas. Wartono admitted to meeting with Budiman in Cipinang prison last week. At that time Budiman had spoken about the offer of clemency which meant he could leave the jail. But he had explicitly said that he would not accept being released if other PRD activists were not freed also.

[Translated by James Balowski]