Prabowo pardons political rivals before Indonesia’s Independence Day
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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted clemency to a former trade minister and a senior opposition official.
PHOTO: AFP
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JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted clemency to two high-profile political rivals, in a gesture of national reconciliation ahead of Independence Day on Aug 17 that included amnesty for more than 1,000 people.
Relief for former trade minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong and senior opposition official Hasto Kristiyanto was announced on July 31 alongside the mass amnesty, which included people jailed under controversial laws covering presidential insult and non-violent treason.
Mr Lembong, a prominent critic of Mr Prabowo during the 2024 election campaign, was a key adviser to rival candidate Anies Baswedan.
Mr Hasto, meanwhile, serves as secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, known as PDI-P, the only major party outside Mr Prabowo’s ruling coalition and the largest bloc in Parliament.
The move could ease political tensions with the PDI-P, whose chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has so far withheld public support for Mr Prabowo.
Their legal relief – abolition for Mr Lembong and amnesty for Mr Hasto – was approved by Parliament on July 31, after receiving the presidential letters. They were both convicted recently in separate graft cases.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said during a press conference late on July 31 that the decision was grounded in legal review and framed it as a unifying act. Under Indonesia’s Constitution, the president has the authority to grant amnesty and abolition, subject to parliamentary approval.
Mr Lembong’s legal team described the move as a constitutional correction of a flawed legal process. Mr Hasto’s lawyers said in a text message they are awaiting a formal presidential decree. Bloomberg
