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Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ba’asyir Remission According to Regulations
Saturday, 20 August, 2005 | 20:12 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda has said that the granting of remission to Indonesian Mujahiddin Council (MMI) supreme leader Abu Bakar Ba’asyir was based on the regulations in force that relate to all detainees, including Ba’asyir.

“It’s not because we want to reduce his sentence,” stated Wirajuda, commenting on a statement by Australian Prime Minister John Howard regarding the government’s granting of remission to Ba’asyir

On August 17, the government gave MMI supreme leader Abu Bakar Ba’asyir a 4.5 months reduction in his sentence.

This has led to criticism from Australia.

“Perhaps it’s not a threat but rather a statement of concern regarding this (the granting of remission),” stated Wirajuda, in response to the matter.

According to the Foreign Minister, the Indonesian government has already explained to the Australian government that the granting of remission on this year’s Indonesian independence day is quite different to last year’s.

Convicts received remission time equal to twice the normal remission on their detention time.

Therefore, Ba’asyir received 4.5 month remission, which is higher than in previous years.

Regarding a request made by the Australian government that the Indonesian government review the granting of its remission to convicts, Wirajuda confirmed that the government had planned to revise the President’s decision on the granting of remission. (Sunariah-Tempo News Room)