Nurul Hidayati, Jakarta – The Minister of Justice, Muladi SH regrets [jailed People's Democratic Party, PRD, chairperson] Budiman Sujatmiko's action in rejecting clemency from the Indonesian President. Muladi was surprised by the attitude and has asked Budiman not to say too much.
"If he rejects clemency that means he is just creating problems for himself. [If we try] to help a person, why do they reject it", said Muladi on Wednesday.
Muladi said this when journalists were asking about Budiman's statement which explicitly rejected clemency by the President. Budiman has asked to be released without any conditions. Muladi hoped that Budiman would not make it difficult for himself because [the offer] to free [the PRD and PKI, reported in Kompas March 6 - JB] political prisoners was made in good faith.
"People like him should be silent. Don't speak too much. [He] should be like Bintang or Pakpahan who were freed before and were silent and wanted [clemency]", said Muladi to journalists.
It was explained that while the granting of clemency must be agreed to by those involved he would leave it up to Budiman [accept it or not]. According to Muladi there are other legal means which could be used such as an amnesty. Amnesty, Muladi said, is a more complex process while clemency from the President in this case, is a technical process by the Department of Justice.
"Budiman's rejection will obviously make things difficult for me because as you know, I do not stand alone in this matter. If he takes steps which make it difficult for himself, that's not my business", he said.
On the issue of whether the PRD can still participate in the elections, according to Muladi, Budiman is not the only chairperson of the PRD. "The Election Committee (KPU) will determine that", he said.
Budiman's rejection to being given clemency by President B.J. Habibie drew comments from he a group of 12 political parties which failed to be able to participate in the Elections. They released a statement that said the rejection by Budiman was a huge insult against the President Habibie and the Republic of Indonesia.
"Because of this, we from the 12 Political Parties Group D state that we condemn Budiman's attitude as the chairperson of the PRD and hope that the government and the KPU will prevent the PRD from participating in the elections", they wrote.
The statement was signed by the chairperson and general secretary of the Indonesian Mutiara Party, Dr Sumarjan Matgono and Djoko Wijono, along with the chairperson and general secretary of the Republican Party, Masgar Kertanegara and Krisnu Hanura.
[Translated by James Balowski]