Amnesty Hasto Kristiyanto-Tom Lembong Momentum Declines Law Enforcement Trust

The trial of alleged bribery for the management of the 2019-2024 DPR PAW and the obstruction of Harun Masiku's investigation with the defendant of the PDIP Secretary General, Hasto Kristiyanto. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto's decision to pardon the Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto and former Minister of Trade (Mendag) Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong will have an impact on the decline in public trust in the law enforcement process.

Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), Dedi Kurnia Syah, said that one of the reasons is because people will think politics very easily affects the law in Indonesia.

"The public has not believed in our law enforcement for a long time, and Prabowo's decision will make the public more sure that law enforcement is not being carried out seriously," said Dedi to VOI, Friday, August 1.

In fact, there are concerns that a similar action will be carried out by Prabowo to other political figures or elites who will later be seen in corruption cases.

Therefore, it is recommended that the process of granting the supplier must be on a strong basis. Thus, there is no political element above the law.

"So it is feared that it will be so that in the future there will be important figures who are caught in similar cases, then suddenly Prabowo Subianto also apologizes," he said.

Apart from that negative side, Dedi assessed that the decision would make Prabowo Subianto get a lot of appreciation from politicians. Thus, his image as a leader will be boosted even better.

"But on the other hand, Prabowo can get appreciation from his loyalists, and of course additional appreciation from the PDIP pros," said Dedi.

The Indonesian House of Representatives is known to have approved the granting of amnesty to the Secretary General of the PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto who was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in connection with the bribery case for the interim replacement (PAW) of the PDIP faction of the DPR. This decision is the result of a consultation meeting between the government and the DPR on this night at the request for consideration and approval of a letter from the President.

"The granting of approval and consideration of the President's letter number R42 Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025 regarding amnesty to 1,116 people who have been convicted is granted amnesty including Hasto Kristiyanto's brother," said Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Thursday, July 31.

In addition to Hasto's amnesty, the DPR also gave considerations and approvals for Presidential letter number R43/Pres072025 dated July 30, 2025 regarding the request for consideration of the DPR RI for granting abolition on behalf of Tom Lembong's brother.

"Abolition of Tom Lembong. Pres number R43/Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025, on the consideration of the DPR RI's approval of giving an abolition to Tom Lembong's brother," said Dasco.

Abolition is the elimination or elimination of a criminal event. This term is contained in Article 14 of the 1945 Constitution which regulates the prerogative or the privilege of the president by taking into account the considerations of the DPR RI.