Indonesia frees two political prisoners and promises elections

INCORPORATES 1130 INDONESIA ELECTIONS The new government in Indonesia has fulfilled a pledge to begin releasing political prisoners.

Two prominent prisoners, Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Mukhtar Pakpahan, stepped to freedom from Cipinang prison in Jakarta, and other releases are expected to follow.

Mr Pamungkas is a former member of parliament who was jailed for defaming President Suharto; Mr Pakpahan, a trade union leader, was serving four years for inciting riots.

The new president, B.J. Habibie, commuted their sentences as a gesture of national reconciliation.

The government has also promised to hold early elections, meeting one of the key demands of the pro-democracy demonstrators who forced the resignation of President Suharto last week.

But a government spokesman said the electoral laws, which restrict political activity, would first have to be amended.

That could take several months.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service