Criminalization Ends With Amnesty And Abolition Considered Unhealthy In Democracy

Illustration of the granting of abolitions and amnesty in alleged criminalization cases is called unhealthy in democratic life. (Ist)

JAKARTA A political observer from the University of Jember, Muhammad Iqbal, considers that the practice of criminalization which then ends with forgiveness such as abolition and amnesty as in the case of Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto is not healthy as an effort to control the opposition in the democratic era.

"If such practices continue to be carried out, the opposition will be sluggish when dealing with power," he said, Sunday, August 3, 2025.

According to him, the motive for giving abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto was more based on political consolidation efforts by President Prabowo Subianto. As the ruler, Prabowo does not want any disturbances in his government.

"Ide's gift of abolition can be read as an effort to instill debt politics or reduce the pace of Anies' political movement. Basically, Prabowo doesn't want a pebble in his shoe," added Iqbal.

Similar to granting amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto, who is considered an effort to embrace the PDI-P, which still has great strength or voice, especially in parliament. Prabowo certainly hopes that granting amnesty to Hasto will prevent PDIP from being tough or hindering government programs that require DPR approval.

Mr. Prabowo is arguably making transactional politics so that PDIP can join the total coalition in parliament. If that's true, then we can say goodbye to Indonesian democracy," said Iqbal.

As is known, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that all factions in the House of Representatives approved President Prabowo Subianto's decision to give an abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto as stated in the letter numbered R-43/Pres/07/2025 dated July 30, 2025.

Tom Lembong was previously sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in a case of alleged corruption in sugar imports while serving as Minister of Trade, while Hasto was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in a bribery case against former KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan.

Abolition is the termination of the ongoing legal process against a person, while amnesty is the result of a punishment. With the granting of abolition and amnesty, Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto were finally released on Friday, August 1, 2025 evening.