The Palatial Penitentiary

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

During the two most important periods in her life-outside and inside jail-Artalyta "Ayin" Suryani has proven herself to be a strong communicator. Rich, popular and successful Ayin, 47, has good relations with prosecutors, religious leaders, police officers, politicians and senior Palace officials. Her lobbying skills transcend boundaries, bypassing bureaucratic hurdles.

Almost two years of incarceration has not dimmed these strengths: Ayin is an easygoing and flexible communicator. From jail she is still able to control her business network. She is free to receive assistants, servants, family members, private drivers and her company executives at any time.

The story of Ayin's life at the Pondok Bambu Penitentiary in East Jakarta is only a small facet of something that highlights a massive problem: the weakness of our judicial system, which allows jail cells to be transformed into super-luxury rooms for those who have money and power. Law enforcement and justice will be one of the heaviest pieces of homework facing the Judicial Mafia Eradication Task Force, which started work in early January.

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FROM the heights of an adjoining building, Artalyta Suryani's daily activities can be easily observed. The businesswoman from the South Sumatra city of Lampung begins work early in the morning. Drivers, private assistants, and maids, are ready to do her bidding. A 10-year-old adopted infant, cared for by a nanny, accompanies her throughout the day.

No, this is not the 11th floor of the Sudirman Building in Central Jakarta, where several of Artalyta

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