PKB Supports President's Abolition of Tom Lembong and Amnesty for Hasto

JAKARTA - Abdullah, a member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, supports President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant pardon to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong and amnesty to PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto. He stated that all factions in the DPR agree with the decision.

"Granting amnesty and abolition can help improve political stability, because it demonstrates the government's readiness to open the door to forgiveness and begin the reconciliation process," Abdullah said on Friday, August 1.

Abdullah believes that President Prabowo has carefully considered these decisions, including the potential political and legal implications.

He emphasized that the president's decisions must be respected as long as they are based on the principles of justice, public interest, transparency, accountability, and objective considerations.

"The granting of amnesty and abolition certainly has a significant impact on our legal system. Therefore, legal principles such as the principle of legality, the presumption of innocence, and equality before the law must remain the primary foundation in every law enforcement process," he emphasized.

Abdullah also reminded that the cases of these two figures have been widely discussed among academics, observers, and legal experts, and have received serious attention within the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). Therefore, he requested that in the future there be no more manipulative legal practices or decisions fraught with vested interests.

"We no longer want to see legal acrobatics that undermine public trust in law enforcement institutions," said the legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.

Regarding the substance of the presidential decree, Abdullah explained that granting amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto could halt the execution of his sentence and restore his good name. Meanwhile, the abolition of Thomas Lembong halted the ongoing legal process, so he would no longer face legal prosecution.

"As long as it is implemented within the correct legal framework and upholds justice, this decision must be respected as part of the President's constitutional authority," he concluded.

As reported, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) approved the request for abolition for defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong in the sugar import case and amnesty for defendant Hasto Kristiyanto in the bribery case proposed by President Prabowo Subianto.

On Thursday evening, July 31, Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that the DPR had considered and approved Presidential Letter Number R43/pres/072025, dated July 30, 2025, regarding the DPR's approval of the granting of abolition for Tom Lembong.

The DPR also approved and considered Presidential Letter Number 42/pres/072025, dated July 30, 2025, concerning amnesty for 1,116 convicted individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto.