The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) said on Sunday that the Law and Justice Ministry should put a moratorium on giving sentence reductions to corruption convicts until the Law on Sentence Reductions is improved.

The government granted sentence reductions to 253 corruption convicts during Idul Fitri. Eight of the convicts were freed.

ICW activist Emerson Yuntho said that reducing the prison sentences of corruption convicts would not make them regret their crimes.

"So far, the punishment for those who commit corruption is still light. The maximum sentence from the Corruption Court is three years," he said on Sunday as reported by kompas.com.

He added that the government must place a moratorium on giving sentence reductions until the law has been improved. Sentence reductions should only be granted to whistleblowers.

He also said that sentence reductions were detrimental to law enforcers such as the Corruption Eradication Commission.

"Law enforcers should play a part as well. Charges and sentences against those who commit corruption should not be light, but the maximum. Thus, the sentence reduction would not have any significance if it were granted," he added.