Tommy and the Cannibal

Tommy Soeharto, the son of an Indonesian ex President got a conditional release after serving two-thirds of a 10-year prison term for masterminding the murder of a Supreme Court justice who was investigating his business dealings. (He received a total of 37 months in sentence reductions, a bit like the serious discounts you get at department stores after Christmas).

Another inmate known only as Sumanto was also released recently, from a Prison in Central Java. Sumanto was jailed for eating the corpse of an 80-year-old women in 2003. He also ate two thigs who tried to rob him. He claimed that he liked eating cats, dogs, rats and snakes when human corpses were not available. Reasonable sounding chap to me!

Both Tommy and Sumanto received sentence reductions for good behaviour. Sumanto is completely different from Tommy. I think all the convicts and wardens in the prison wanted Sumanto to be released as soon as possible. (Even the most notorious prisoners there suddenly became very nice and religious when they were put in the same cell as Indonesia's answer to Hannibal Lecter).

Tommy's freedom sparked controversy in society. During Soeharto's 32-year tenure, up to his fall in 1998, Tommy always received "presidential" treatment. Tommy, who was born in 1962, was always surrounded by people who treated him like a prince who could do no wrong and whose wishes should be fulfilled. Now, he must bear the burden of being known as the mastermind of a murder for the rest of his life. My personal opinion is that he does not give a fuck, when you’re a multi millionaire I imagine that speculation about your past business interests (criminal or non criminal) lie low on your priority list of things that worry you! Ask Chelsea Football Club if their owner has a clean bill of health.

The Soeharto children most certainly got the silver spoon treatment, young adults who easily got unbelievable projects like the monopoly on oranges, cloves, mining reserves, oil fields, TV & Radio etc. etc. Oh yes, I forgot, they also got “get out of jail early” cards!

What's the criteria for good behaviour, anyway? It's rather abstract. Only when you are in jail are you able to have a more concrete understanding of the two worlds. For Sumanto it was probably easier to demonstrate his good behaviour -- he succeeding resisting the urge to eat his fellow inmates.

And Tommy? He just used his card!