JAKARTA. Murder convict Antasari Azhar, who was once chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), has expressed gratitude for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo granting him clemency.

“I have received the presidential decree [on the clemency], but yes thank God,” said Antasari, who had been sentenced by the South Jakarta Court to 18 years in prison for masterminding the killing of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, a president director of a state owned company, in 2010.

Presidential spokesman Johan Budi confirmed on Wednesday that the decree had been signed by Jokowi and sent to the court.

Antasari's lawyer, Boyamin Saiman, said he would go to the court to get the decree.

After receiving the decree, Antasari said he and his lawyer planned to the Cipinang Penitentiary from which he was recently paroled, kompas.com reported.

On Nov. 10 last year, Antasari, who has often denied involvement in the murder, got probation after serving two-thirds of his prison term.

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie