JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Hartati Murdaya, owner of Berca Group and former member of Advisory Board of President SBY’s Democratic Party, is free on parole from prison on Monday (September 1).

The Ministry of  Law & Human Rights, which led by Minister Amir Syamsudin who is also Democratic Party politician, decided to grant parole to Hartati and argued the decision is accordance to the Government Regulation No. 99/2012.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), meanwhile, criticized government’s decision to grant parole to Hartati. KPK’s Spokesperson Johan Budi SP said the KPK has sent an official letter to the Ministry to protest the decision.

Previously, the KPK had detained Hartati Murdaya at the Pondok Bambu Detention Center since September 12, 2012.

Panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court, later on February 4, 2013, had sentenced Hartati Murdaya to two years and eight months in jail for bribing Buol Regent Amran Batalipu with Rp3 billion related to the handling of business license of PT Hardaya Inti Plantation, a subsidiary of PT Central Cakra Murdaya (Berca Group).

In addition, panel of judges also ordered Hartati to pay Rp150 million in fine or serve another three months additional jail term. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)