Gerindra Corrects Prabowo's Statement That Will Forgive Corruptors As Long As They Return Curian Results

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party straightened out President Prabowo Subianto's statement to forgive corruptors as long as they repent and return the stolen state money. Gerindra emphasized that the statement did not mean that they would just free corruptors.

Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Habiburokhman, appealed to Prabowo's statement to be understood in the legal context. According to him, the statement reflects President Prabowo's efforts to place asset recovery as a priority in eradicating corruption, while respecting the applicable legal process.

"Pak Prabowo talks in a relaxed style, maybe not in the context of acquittal. Of course those who understand the law will not misinterpret this," said Habiburokhman at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, December 19.

The chairman of Commission III of the DPR explained that in criminal law, the cooperative attitude of criminals if they admit their mistakes and return the proceeds of crime can be a factor that alleviates the sentence.

"This is very theoretical in criminal law science. But of course it does not mean release," he explained.

Habiburokhman, hopes that the public will not misunderstand and even twist Prabowo's statement. Noted, it is impossible for a president to easily free corruptors.

"Don't frame badly that Pak Prabowo will free corruptors. That's impossible," he said.

Habiburokhman emphasized that Prabowo's statement was more focused on recovering stolen state assets.

"The main goal of eradicating corruption is to maximize asset recovery. How can state financial losses be returned," he concluded.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto called on corruptors to repent and return the funds they had stolen from the people.

Prabowo said the call when he spoke to Indonesian students in Cairo, Egypt, about the issue of corruption.

"I am in this week, this month, this month, I am in order to give an opportunity, give me a chance to repent, hey corruptors, or who have felt like stealing from the people, if you return what you stole, maybe we will forgive, but return it," Prabowo said in front of Indonesian students, Wednesday, December 18, yesterday.

Prabowo also emphasized that there would be a way to return the proceeds from corruption with the option of recovering behind closed doors.

"Later we will give the opportunity to return it secretly, not caught, return it, but return it," he said.