Convicted in the electronic identity card (E-KTP) corruption case, Setya Novanto (Setnov) has been granted parole from Sukamiskin Correctional Facility in Bandung. Despite being on parole, Setnov is required to report to the Bandung Prison Supervision Office (Bapas Bandung) until April 1, 2029.
"Yes, it's true (Setya Novanto) was released yesterday (August 16). He was granted parole because his sentence reduction from 15 years to 12.5 years was approved," said West Java Regional Chief of the Directorate General of Corrections Kusnali on Sunday, August 17, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
The man commonly known as Setnov had previously been sentenced to 15 years in prison, fined Rp500 million with an additional 3-month imprisonment in default, plus an obligation to pay compensation of US$7.3 million. The Golkar politician was found guilty of corruption in the electronic ID card procurement project for the 2011-2013 fiscal year.
Kusnali stated that the grant of parole to Setnov was in accordance with the Conditional Release Program Proposal approved during a hearing of the Directorate General of Corrections of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Ditjen PAS Kemenimipas) on August 10, 2025. This proposal was to recommend Setnov's continued approval from the authorities. The recommendation was given along with 1,000 other inmate integration program proposals from across Indonesia.
Director General of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Directorate General of Corrections, Mashudi, revealed the remission received by Setnov until he obtained parole. "It's 28 months and 15 days," Mashudi told the media at Salemba Correctional Facility, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.
Setnov's parole was based on the Minister of Law and Human Rights' Decree number PAS-1423 PK.05.03 dated August 15, 2025. Consequently, Setnov was officially released from Sukamiskin Correctional Facility.
Here are the facts surrounding the parole of Setya Novanto in the E-KTP corruption case.
Supreme Court Grants Setnov Judicial Review
The Supreme Court then reduced Setya Novanto's sentence from the initial 15 years imprisonment to 12 years 6 months through a judicial review (PK) filed and granted in June 2025. This reduction in sentence was what entitled Setnov to apply for parole earlier.
The court also changed the corruption convict's fine in the E-KTP procurement case to Rp500 million, which, if not paid, must be substituted with a 6-month imprisonment.
Having Served Two-thirds of the Sentence
Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections, Kusnali, ensured that Setnov's parole was in accordance with the regulations, having served two-thirds of his 12.5-year imprisonment term plus remission. "His two-thirds calculation made him eligible for parole on August 16, 2025," he said.
He stated that Setnov's parole status required him to report to Sukamiskin Correctional Facility in Bandung and that Setnov had been serving his sentence since 2017, consistently receiving remission. "He was released before the commemoration of August 17. So, he didn't receive remission on August 17," Kusnali explained.
Paying Fines and Compensation
According to Kusnali, Setnov has fully paid the fine and compensation. He mentioned that Setnov had paid the fine of Rp500 million, evidenced by a completion certificate from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) No.B/5238/Ex.01.08/26/08 2025 dated August 14, 2025.
Previously, Setnov had already paid a compensation of Rp43,738,291,585 or Rp43.73 billion. The remaining amount of Rp5,313,998,118 or Rp5.3 billion (substituted with 2 months and 15 days imprisonment), Setnov paid before being granted parole and had received a determination from the KPK. "It's fully paid. Only Setya Novanto for the parole from Sukamiskin," Kusnali stated.
Setnov Deemed Well-behaved
Head of the Directorate General of Corrections' Subdirectorate of Cooperation Rika Aprianti stated that Setya had been deemed to fulfill administrative and substantive requirements, hence the parole grant. One of the reasons being Setnov's good behavior. "He initiated the legal clinic program at Sukamiskin Correctional Facility," Rika told the media at Salemba Correctional Facility on Sunday.
Rika explained that inmates in need of legal guidance or counsel could visit the legal clinic. This initiative was done in collaboration with the facility. According to Rika, not only Setya Novanto, other inmates with potential could become peer educators. "(Setya Novanto) Actively participated in the self-sufficiency programs in agriculture and plantations," Rika continued. She explained that Setya had managerial experience. "Even in reality, he participated too."
She mentioned that Setnov was considered well-behaved, actively participated in correctional programs, and had shown a decrease in risk. This is in line with the requirements for parole as stipulated in Article 10 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 22 of 2022 concerning Corrections.
Required Reporting until April 1, 2029
Despite being on parole, Setya Novanto is required to report to the Bandung Prison Supervision Office. Rika Aprianti stated that Setnov is obliged to receive guidance from the Bandung Prison Supervision Office Correctional Supervisor until April 1, 2029.
"Since August 16, 2025, Setya Novanto's status has changed from an inmate to a correctional client at Bandung Correctional Facility," Rika stated in her statement on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Amelia Rahima Sari, Ayu Cipta, and Antara contributed to the writing of this article.
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