Setnov on Parole, Golkar Party: That's His Right as a Convict

JAKARTA - Soedeson Tandra, a member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Golkar faction, responded to the news of the release of former Speaker of the House and former Chairman of the Golkar Party, Setya Novanto, also known as Setnov, after the parole program proposal was approved by the Directorate General of Corrections' Correctional Observation Team (TPP) on August 10, 2025.

According to Soedeson, all Indonesian citizens (WNI) are equal before the law, and convicts have the right to receive remission or a reduction in their sentence if they behave well while serving their sentence.

"We must uphold the principle of equality before the law. Whether it's a case of theft, murder, or corruption. Once the person is convicted, they are considered a convict, and they have the right to receive remission," Soedeson said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, August 19.

"So, for us, it's part of his rights as a convict who behaves well and so on to receive remission. It's equality before the law," added the Golkar Party legislator from the Central Papua electoral district.

Regarding the numerous public criticisms in line with President Prabowo Subianto's principle of eradicating corruption, Soedeson stated that, in his personal opinion, all citizens have equal rights under the law. However, authority remains with the relevant agency.

"So, I'm giving my opinion on the normative side. The law is normative, whether it's black or white. The issue of law enforcement is another matter. Ask the agency," Soedeson said.

As previously reported, Setya Novanto, also known as Setnov, the former Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, was finally released. He was finally released after his parole proposal was approved by the Directorate General of Corrections' Correctional Observation Team (TPP) on August 10, 2025.

The proposal was part of 1,000 inmate integration programs across Indonesia. The decision deemed Setnov to have met the administrative and substantive requirements.

He was deemed to have behaved well during his time as an inmate, actively participating in correctional activities and demonstrating a reduced risk, as stipulated in Article 10 Paragraph 2 of Law Number 22 of 2022.

Furthermore, Setnov was deemed to have served two-thirds of his sentence as stipulated in Article 10 Paragraph 3 of Law Number 22 of 2022.

"On August 16, 2025, he was released from Sukamiskin Prison on parole, based on Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections No. PAS-1423 PK.05.03 of 2025 dated August 15, 2025," said Rika Aprianti, Head of Public Relations and Protocol for the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen PAS), in a statement on Sunday, August 17, 2025.