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Bashir reprieve 'within the law'

INDONESIA'S Justice Minister has said he understands concerns about a reduced jail term for the Bali bombings instigator but the reprieve is within the law.

Abu Bakar Bashir, who is serving a 30-month jail term for inciting the Bali bombings, has received four-and-a-half months remission despite protests by Australia's ambassador David Ritchie to senior Indonesian ministers.

Indonesian Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin said the remission system was often misunderstood by foreign countries.

"Many foreigners think giving sentence reductions is inappropriate," he said.

"But prisoners (in Indonesia) have that right under (the) 1999 decree ... and as long as the rules are like that, the government must be consistent."

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa also said Jakarta had been mindful of Australia's concern.

"But we have also been equally careful to ensure the independence of the judicial process and the matter of remission is respected," he said.

"The remission to Abu Bakar Bashir is not a reflection on the individual per se rather than the application of the remission program, which is applied in general."

Indonesia has indicated it might revoke a presidential ruling which cuts jail time for its prisoners.

However if it does, the move will have no impact on the reprieve given to Bashir.