President Prabowo Subianto has shown his wisdom and foresight by granting amnesty and abolition to PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and businessman Tom Lembong, a move that is widely praised for promoting national reconciliation. This decision, according to senior politician Fahri Hamzah, demonstrates President Prabowo’s quick and thoughtful response to address concerns about societal divisions leading up to Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. House Speaker Prof. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad’s swift response is seen as a signal from the President to end social polarization and initiate a broader reconciliation process, especially as the country approaches the symbolic date of August 17, 2025.
Fahri emphasized the importance of President Prabowo’s use of his constitutional prerogative, especially in the face of efforts by certain groups to create disunity. He praised the President for taking a firm stance and making a decision that has significant implications for restoring societal harmony. This step, he believes, is a genuine attempt to reunify the nation and bring people together.
The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has approved the amnesty for 1,116 convicted individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto, as outlined in Presidential Letter No. 42/Pres/072725 dated July 30, 2025. Amnesty and abolition are both forms of the President’s prerogative rights under the Indonesian Constitution, used to eliminate legal consequences resulting from criminal convictions. This exercise of constitutional power by President Prabowo is seen as a sincere effort to unite the nation in the face of fragmentation.
