Jakarta – About 20 people staged a rowdy demonstration outside the Justice and Human Rights Ministry office Monday demanding the speedy release of Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putera from jail. The son of former president Soeharto is serving time for murder.

The protesters described the government's decision to delay his release because of fears over public reactions was "unacceptable". "Administratively, Tommy should have been given a conditional release on Aug. 18," the protesters, who claimed to represent different organizations, declared in a statement.

The group also demanded that Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin clarify his statement, made at a House of Representatives hearing, that some people objected to Tommy's release.

"Which people did he refer to, we want to know," said one protester, while others banged on a table while talking to ministry spokesman Joko Sasongko.

Cipinang penitentiary filed a proposal for Tommy's release two-thirds of the way through his 10 year jail term in September, citing good conduct in support of the move.