Following The Melukat Ceremony, 792 Prisoners In Bali Get Remission On Nyepi Day

DENPASAR - Hundreds of Prisoners (WBP) together with officers from the Class IIA Kerobokan Correctional Institution (Lapas) in Denpasar, Bali, attended a mass melukat ceremony for self-purification in celebration of the Nyepi Holy Day.

The ceremony was held in the field yard inside the Kerobokan Prison and was followed by the WBP solemnly by implementing health protocols. The former Deputy Governor I Ketut Sudikerta was present, who was previously free due to assimilation.

Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum HAM) Bali Province, Jamaruli Manihuruk said the melukat prayer ceremony was attended by WBP and Hindu officers with a total of about 500 people.

"This is a religious ceremony that we in Indonesia are religious people who have to carry out religious obligations, including this melukat. For Hinduism (the melukat ceremony) is a sacred thing, especially for those who are in correctional institutions," said Jamaruli , Tuesday, March 1st.

This melukat ceremony was held for the first time in Kerobokan Prison. Jamaruli hopes that melukat can be held every year.

"We hope it is sustainable and as much as possible this is carried out every year," he said.

Meanwhile, related to Nyepi Day, Hindu inmates received remission. A total of 792 WBP in 11 prisons received remission.

"There are 792 people who get remission for Bali alone. But the remission, some are divided, there are those who get 15 days, 1 month, 1, 5 months and 2 months and (those who get) remission there are already rules, if it meets the requirements given remission," continued Jamaruli.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Class IIA Kerobokan Correctional Institution (Kalapas) Fikri Jaya Soebing said there were 397 inmates who were Hindus in this prison. 204 people received remission, two of whom were immediately released.

"So, in general, those who accept this are Hindus who meet the requirements, we propose remission. Of the 397 people who were proposed to receive remission, 206 people, with 204 people being cut remissions and two people being released immediately," he said.