By Cindy Wockner and Komang Suriadi - May 16, 2007
Jailbird ... Schapelle Corby found plenty to smile about when she was visited by Indonesia's Justice Minister yesterday / Miftahudin |
BALI'S most famous prisoner Schapelle Corby was in good spirits yesterday as she shared a joke with Indonesia's Justice Minister, and told him she wanted to get out of Kerobokan Jail soon.
She surprised everyone with her proficiency in the Indonesian language, conversing freely with the minister and the jail's governor about her best-selling book, how long she has spent behind bars, the jail conditions, and her plea to go home.
The 29-year-old met Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta in his surprise inspection of Bali's Kerobokan Jail only after being assured there would be not be a swarm of media.
Mr Mattalatta also met Bali Nine heroin courier Renae Lawrence, shaking her hand and urging her to repent.
He did not meet any of the six Bali Nine traffickers on death row, who are appealing for their lives.
The last time an Indonesian minister visited the jail, Corby stormed off and hid in an office to escape the media.
Jail boss Ilham Djaya told the minister his most well-known inmate was now more patient and less cranky.
Told Corby had written a book, Mr Mattalatta asked what it was about.
Corby told him it was about "my life before and after the jail".
This prompted the minister to inquire if he could have a copy, but Corby could not oblige.
Asked about the conditions inside the jail, Corby told Mr Mattalatta: "I want to get out of here soon, please sir."
Mr Mattalatta just smiled.
There were laughs all round when Corby and Mr Djaya said she was less uptight about reporters and photographers, some of whom she used to despise.
Corby's last-ditch appeal bid, a judicial review to the Supreme Court in Jakarta, is being considered.
A court spokesman said yesterday that the second of three judges was still reading the file.
A final decision is expected to be some months away.
Corby was convicted of trying to take 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali.
She claims she was the victim of a drugs syndicate.
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