House rejects parole for Corby

JAKARTA. The House of Representatives Commission III overseeing law and human rights has opposed the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s plan to grant parole to Australian drug smuggling convict Schapelle Leigh Corby.

Lawmaker Taslim Chaniago read out a statement on behalf of members of Commission III saying that by releasing Corby, the government would be betraying its people by not punishing a serious criminal offense to the fullest extent of the law.

 “The government is being hypocritical. This has tainted the nation’s effort to be drug-free,” he said. Commenting on this, Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana said such opposition came as a surprise, since Corby was among around 900 drug convicts up for parole.

 “We have no reason to refuse a parole request if the inmate has fulfilled all the necessary requirements,” he said on Thursday.

He said the final decision on Corby’s parole would be announced by Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin in the near future.

Corby was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle 4.2 kilograms of marijuana into the country. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has already taken five years off Corby’s prison term.

Responding to the demand, Amir said parole was granted based on existing regulations. “We will give her no special treatment,” he said.

Amir added on Wednesday he would rule on the Australian’s parole application this week, raising speculation that Corby could soon be released.

Corby was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, in October 2004 for smuggling 4.2 kg of marijuana into Indonesia. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is detained at Kerobokan Penitentiary in Bali.

Amir said he would review the correctional board’s recommendation, which completed its meeting on Jan. 30 and made recommendations on 1,772 parole requests.

Deputy Minister Denny added Corby would only be considered eligible if her application ticked all the right boxes.

 “It depends on the minister. He must review the correctional board’s recommendation and decide whether she has followed all the regulations and met all the requirements,” Denny said. (