TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant clemency to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong and amnesty to the General Secretary of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Hasto Kristiyanto, has garnered reactions from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General's Office (AGO). Both individuals were previously convicted in corruption cases and were undergoing further legal processes.
KPK Respects the President's Authority
KPK Chair Setyo Budiyanto asserted that the president's granting of amnesty is a constitutional right guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. "It is the president's authority in accordance with the 1945 Constitution," he told reporters on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
However, the KPK stated that they have not stopped the legal process against Hasto. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the anti-corruption agency is still studying the information regarding the amnesty granted. "We will first study the information. Meanwhile, the legal process is still ongoing, the appeals process," he said.
Previously, the KPK had brought a bribery case involving Hasto to court. He was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison in a case related to the bribery of the former KPU Commissioner, Wahyu Setiawan. With the amnesty, all legal consequences against Hasto are annulled. However, it seems that the KPK has not immediately closed the case without thorough consideration.
AGO Acknowledges Not Knowing about Tom Lembong's Clemency
Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) stated that they have not received official information regarding the DPR's approval of clemency for Tom Lembong. Head of Public Prosecution at the Attorney General's Office, Anang Supriatna, stated that the institution had only learned of the news from the media.
"I don't know yet, I just found out from you," Anang said when met at the Special Criminal Court Building of the Attorney General's Office on Thursday, July 31, 2025. He added that the Attorney General's Office is currently pursuing an appeals process against the verdict of Tom Lembong. "We will first study it," he said.
Then, a day later, the Attorney General's Office confirmed that Tom Lembong would be released from prison tonight. Deputy Prosecutor General for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, Sutikno, stated that they were in the process of handling Tom's release administration.
"Tonight, we will go directly to the Central Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to finalize it. Because the administrative handling of this case is in Central Jakarta," said Sutikno when met at the Attorney General's Office, Friday night, August 1, 2025.
Tom had previously been sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in a corruption case related to the import of sugar in 2015-2016. With the clemency granted, all legal processes against him have been terminated, and there is no longer an obligation to continue the appeals process.
DPR Approves Prabowo's Proposal
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that his institution had approved two letters from the President submitted on July 30, 2025, each regarding clemency for Tom Lembong and amnesty for 1,116 convicts, including Hasto Kristiyanto.
"The DPR has provided consideration and approval for Presidential Letter Number R.43/PRES/07/2025 dated July 30, 2025 concerning the request for consideration from the Indonesian House of Representatives for the granting of clemency on behalf of Mr. Tom Lembong," Dasco said in a press conference at Senayan, Thursday night, July 31, 2025.
The Presidential Palace stated that the granting of clemency and amnesty is related to the 80th Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence and to maintain national unity. "The granting of clemency, amnesty, or other policies that can be interpreted and can be a factor in strengthening and uniting all elements of the nation will be carried out by the President," said Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro.
Coordinating Minister for Legal, Political, and Security Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, also affirmed that the granting of clemency and amnesty is in accordance with the law. "The consideration has been requested by the President through a letter to the DPR and the President has also appointed two ministers, the Minister of Law and the Minister of State Secretary," said Yusril.
Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, M. Raihan Muzzaki, Eka Yudha Saputra, and Jihan Ristiyanti contributed to this article.
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