Jakarta. Indonesia's Director General of Corrections Mashudi has resigned following mounting scrutiny over apartment-like buildings discovered at Cibinong Prison, where authorities are investigating allegations that some inmates received preferential treatment outside their regular cells.

Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto received Mashudi's resignation letter on Thursday, ministry spokesman Akbar Hadi said.

“Today, the immigration and corrections minister received Mr. Mashudi's resignation letter as director general of corrections,” Akbar said in a statement.

The ministry did not disclose Mashudi's reasons for stepping down.

Akbar said the resignation would not disrupt prison administration or public services.

“Services to the public and the implementation of correctional functions will continue as usual. All personnel will continue carrying out their duties in accordance with their authority and established procedures,” he said.

Mashudi's resignation came three days after he faced intense questioning from members of the House of Representatives' Commission XIII over the controversial facilities uncovered during an unannounced Indonesian Ombudsman inspection at Cibinong Prison on Sept. 23.

The Ombudsman found a cluster of unusually well-equipped buildings containing amenities including sofas, air conditioning, kitchens and dining furniture. Alcoholic beverages were also found in a refrigerator in one of the buildings.

The discovery prompted allegations that corruption convicts and other high-profile inmates may have received privileged access to facilities outside ordinary prison cells.

Prison officials have disputed allegations that the buildings served as secret luxury residences for inmates, saying some were used as staff accommodation or facilities supporting prison programs.

Buildings Demolished
The controversy escalated Wednesday when the Immigration and Corrections Ministry demolished 10 of the buildings as Commission XIII lawmakers inspected the prison complex.

Heavy machinery tore down the structures in front of ministry officials, lawmakers and journalists.

Ministry Inspector General Rudi Setiawan said the buildings targeted for demolition lacked permits, were not registered as state assets and stood in a restricted area near a river.

Of 16 buildings identified in the area, only three were registered in the government's state asset management system, while 13 were unregistered.

The ministry has also suspended five Cibinong Prison officials, including Warden Wisnu Hani Putranto, while an internal investigation examines possible misconduct surrounding the facilities.

No criminal investigation has been publicly announced so far.

Mashudi's departure marks the highest-level personnel consequence since the Ombudsman's inspection brought the Cibinong Prison facilities under national scrutiny.
 

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