JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto has made another breakthrough, this time by granting amnesty to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong (Tom Lembong) and amnesty to PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto.
News of the amnesty for Tom Lembong and Hasto has been circulating since Thursday evening (July 31, 2025), spread by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Prabowo's confidant, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
Dasco stated that his party has approved the granting of amnesty to Hasto and the granting of amnesty to Tom. Dasco said all factions in the DPR have agreed to the proposal, and are now awaiting the issuance of a Presidential Decree (Kepppres).
"And as a result of the consultation meeting, the DPR RI has given its consideration and approval to Presidential Letter Number R43/pres/072025 dated July 30, 2025, regarding the DPR RI's approval of the granting of amnesty to Tom Lembong," Dasco said at a press conference at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta.
"The second is the granting of approval for, and consideration of, Presidential Letter Number 42/pres/072025 dated July 30, 2025, concerning amnesty for 1,116 people who have been convicted, including Hasto Kristiyanto," he added.
The President Exercises the King's Authority
Amnesty is the president's right to grant clemency to a criminal, while abolition is the head of state's right to waive prosecution or sentence against a criminal. In granting this pardon, the president must still consult with the House of Representatives (DPR).
Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas emphasized that granting the pardon would halt the legal process. The Gerindra politician also explained that Prabowo's consideration in granting pardon to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto was to foster unity ahead of Indonesia's 80th anniversary on August 17th.
However, the granting of the pardon and amnesty have drawn public attention, including from political observer Dedi Kurnia Syah. According to him, Prabowo's granting of the pardon is concerning. It's not about whether Tom Lembong deserves a pardon, as he may have the right to be free from punishment without a pardon.
"Indeed, the president has the authority to pardon, but if that legal discretion lacks rational grounds and arguments, then it is the same as the president exercising the authority of a king, not a president who is democratically elected and under the auspices of the constitution," said Dedi when contacted by VOI.
"Similarly, is Hasto entitled to a pardon? If the trial has shown evidence of Hasto's criminality, the law should be upheld, no matter how severe the judge's verdict on Tim Lembong, it must still be enforced," he added.
Unless, Dedi added, there is other evidence that proves Tim Lembong's innocence.
"Therefore, the president's pardon was not taken out of compassion, but because the constitution protects all citizens. Presidential abolition should not be considered a personal right; this could be wrong," stressed the Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion.
Commitment to Eradicating Corruption Questioned
Criticism has also come from anti-corruption activists. Lakso Anindito, Chairman of Indonesia Memanggil (IM57+), stated that granting amnesty and parole to corruption defendants Hasto and Tom Lembong is an attempt to circumvent the law.
According to the IM57+ Institute, founded by former employees of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), granting amnesty and parole to corruption defendants is extremely dangerous. This is because the resolution of corruption cases is ultimately achieved through political agreements at the negotiating table that betray the people.
"This could set a bad precedent for the law enforcement process in this country and is a betrayal of the President's own promise to eradicate corruption," Lakso stated.
"In the future, politicians will not be afraid to engage in corruption because resolutions can be achieved through political agreements," he added.
He also urged the public to reject the president's decision to grant amnesty and abolition to defendants in corruption cases. If left unchecked, Lakso said, it would result in the collapse of the rule of law and its replacement with rule by law in the country's law enforcement process. For your information, rule by law is a concept that refers to the use of law as a tool to achieve certain goals.
Lakso added that this decision also strongly contradicts President Prabowo's frequently proclaimed commitment to eradicating corruption.
Particularly with regard to the amnesty for Hasto, Lakso noted how solving the case took a very long time due to the vulnerability to interference. The handling of Hasto's case also resulted in the unilateral dismissal of the investigator handling the case.
"This shows the president's complete lack of commitment to eradicating corruption and is simply ranting. Amidst the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) serious efforts to uncover backlogs of cases, the president has instead chosen to pardon," Lakso concluded.
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