By Indra Harsaputra in Pamekasan/The Jakarta Post | ANN – Thu, Jul 7, 2011Pamekasan (The Jakarta Post/ANN) - The law in Indonesia does not apply to "little people." Just for stealing a used sarong (traditional outfit) worth 3,000 rupiah (about 35 US cents), Amirah, 30, a woman working as a domestic maid from Sokon, Temberu village in Pamekasan, Madura, East Java, is at risk of being sentenced to five years in jail.
Amirah has been held at the Pamekasan prison since March 26.
Prison spokesman Rendra Yozar said the case was small compared to corruption cases but the court could not reject case files. The defendant is charged with violating Article 362 of the Criminal Code on common theft.
"We will resolve the case immediately keeping in mind the defendant has a responsibility to work to support her family," Rendra told The Jakarta Post.
Rendra said Amirah had admitted taking the sarong from her employer Mariyem, 41, and selling it to meet the needs of her family. She also admitted to stealing rice to feed her 10-year-old son.
When met at the prison, Amirah requested that she be forgiven for her wrongdoing and not be imprisoned, bearing in mind she must take care of her son who dropped out of school after she was fired from her job and detained in prison.
"If I am imprisoned, my son will be alone at home and will not be able to eat because his father left us when he was three," Amirah told the Post.
Petty crimes, heavy sentences
Rasminah
Rasminah binti Rawan, 60, was detained at Tangerang Penitentiary in Banten for allegedly stealing six plates from her employer's house in Ciputat, South Tangerang, in October 2010. Rasminah was facing a maximum of five years' imprisonment for her crime. The Tangerang District Court acquitted Rasminah of all charges against her, which included stealing valuables from her employer.
Basar and Kholil
The Kediri District Court in East Java handed down 15-day suspended sentences to two men for stealing a watermelon worth 30,000 rupiah (US$3) in December 2009. Basar and Kholil were taken to the Mojoroto Police station and named suspects without being questioned.
Minah
An elderly woman in Banyumas, Central Java, faced the law for stealing three cacao pods worth only 1,500 rupiah (15 US cents) from a plantation. The court handed down a suspended sentence of 45 days in prison in September 2009.
Deli Suhandi
A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly stealing a cell phone credit voucher worth 10,000 rupiah (US$1.15). He was released from the Pondok Bambu detention center in East Jakarta in April 2011.
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Amirah has been held at the Pamekasan prison since March 26.
Prison spokesman Rendra Yozar said the case was small compared to corruption cases but the court could not reject case files. The defendant is charged with violating Article 362 of the Criminal Code on common theft.
"We will resolve the case immediately keeping in mind the defendant has a responsibility to work to support her family," Rendra told The Jakarta Post.
Rendra said Amirah had admitted taking the sarong from her employer Mariyem, 41, and selling it to meet the needs of her family. She also admitted to stealing rice to feed her 10-year-old son.
When met at the prison, Amirah requested that she be forgiven for her wrongdoing and not be imprisoned, bearing in mind she must take care of her son who dropped out of school after she was fired from her job and detained in prison.
"If I am imprisoned, my son will be alone at home and will not be able to eat because his father left us when he was three," Amirah told the Post.
Petty crimes, heavy sentences
Rasminah
Rasminah binti Rawan, 60, was detained at Tangerang Penitentiary in Banten for allegedly stealing six plates from her employer's house in Ciputat, South Tangerang, in October 2010. Rasminah was facing a maximum of five years' imprisonment for her crime. The Tangerang District Court acquitted Rasminah of all charges against her, which included stealing valuables from her employer.
Basar and Kholil
The Kediri District Court in East Java handed down 15-day suspended sentences to two men for stealing a watermelon worth 30,000 rupiah (US$3) in December 2009. Basar and Kholil were taken to the Mojoroto Police station and named suspects without being questioned.
Minah
An elderly woman in Banyumas, Central Java, faced the law for stealing three cacao pods worth only 1,500 rupiah (15 US cents) from a plantation. The court handed down a suspended sentence of 45 days in prison in September 2009.
Deli Suhandi
A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly stealing a cell phone credit voucher worth 10,000 rupiah (US$1.15). He was released from the Pondok Bambu detention center in East Jakarta in April 2011.
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Bambang, please introduce new petty crime code, and not detain these petty criminals more than 48 jours. Dont jail people and keep them in for months for petty crimes less worth than a cats meal and incurr more cost for feeding them in jail. Introduce death sentences for corrupt officials taking millions from the country's resource instead...
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You just need to be rich and the law will be with you in Indonesia, for the case of this woman is because she is too poor.
Imiar Report Abuse
Justice is blind, deaf and DUMB.June Wee Report Abuse
Not surprised in a country where Gayus Tambunan a convicted corruptor can walk out of prison and watch a tennis tournament in Bali WHILE serving his prison sentence.
This is atrocious. The gap between the rich and the poor is so great in Indonesia. I saw it with own eyes. I pity the poor. I saw a show how the poor people dug from the waste hill which a Singapore photographer went to film. I can never imagine how people are treated there.Ryan Star Report Abuse
This is like using a sledge hammer to kill an ant.lyden Report Abuse
Her employer also does'nt have a heart. I believe they could have helped if she wanted to.
Sentencing a fellow countrymen to 5 years jail for 40 cents !
Who will take care of her children then ???
the judge after study so hard ,with all the education to became a judge but became stupid and silly..
maybe , the judge is an idiot
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