Lawmaker opposes parole for Corby

JAKARTA. A lawmaker from the House of Representatives Legal Commission has opposed the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s plan to grant parole to Australian drug smuggling convict Schapelle Leigh Corby.

Lawmaker Taslim Chaniago reasoned 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 only 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 had been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle 4.2 kg of marijuana into the country. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had previously cut five years off of Corby’s prison term. (bcw)