The Palace Denies Legal Interference in the Release of Tom Lembong and Hasto for Unity

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Palace has emphasized that the granting of amnesty to the Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Hasto Kristiyanto, and the abolition for former Minister of Trade, Tom Lembong, is given for the sake of national unity and integrity.

The move to release the two defendants in the corruption case is also claimed not to be a form of intervention, even though it is conducted regarding a case that has not yet obtained legal force.

The Deputy Minister of State Secretary, who also serves as the Presidential Spokesperson, Juri Ardiantoro, stated that the granting of abolition for Tom Lembong and amnesty for Hasto Kristiyanto is an effort by President Prabowo Subianto to demonstrate that every citizen is entitled to equal treatment.

In commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the President granted clemency to several defendants and convicts, including Tom and Hasto, as both met the criteria for receiving clemency in the form of abolition and amnesty.

Nevertheless, the Jury did not explain why the President adopted different policies for Tom and Hasto. He only emphasized that this step was taken to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation. This is because unity and integrity are the fundamental capital for advancing the country.

"Therefore, any policy, including political policies, for the sake of unity and integrity, the President will take such steps. For instance, the granting of abolition, amnesty, or other policies that can be interpreted and can serve as factors to strengthen and unite all elements of the nation will be carried out by the President," said Juri at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Friday (1/8/2025).

He does not deny that the granting of amnesty and abolition was carried out amid a legal process that has not yet become final and binding. This is because both Hasto and Tom have not received a court decision that is legally binding. However, according to him, this is not an intervention.

"No, there was no intervention. The President respected and honored the legal process," said Juri.

He also did not respond to allegations regarding the granting of amnesty and abolition related to the national political constellation, particularly the relationship between the government and PDI-P. This is because, one hour after the announcement of the amnesty and abolition, the Deputy Speaker of the DPR from the Gerindra Party faction, the party led by President Prabowo, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, uploaded a photo of his meeting with the Chairperson of PDI-P Megawati Soekarnoputri and two Chairpersons of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of PDI-P, who are also Megawati's children, Puan Maharani and Prananda Prabowo.

Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who serves as the Daily Chairman of the Gerindra Party, is not alone; he is accompanied by the Minister of State Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the DPP Gerindra Party, Prasetyo Hadi.

Through a written statement, the Chairman of Commission III of the DPR, Habiburokhman, stated that the granting of amnesty and abolition, including for Hasto and Tom, is in accordance with the constitution. Referring to Article 14 Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, the President has the right to grant amnesty and abolition. Technically, the granting of amnesty and abolition is also based on Law Number 11 of 1954 concerning the Granting of Amnesty and Abolition.

According to him, the granting of amnesty and abolition has been discussed in the DPR for a long time, especially since 2019. This emerged as one of the steps to address the issue of overcapacity in correctional institutions, which are predominantly occupied by drug users.

"Regarding the cases of Hasto Kristiyanto and Tom Lembong, we interpret that President Prabowo does not intervene in the work of law enforcement officials, but rather takes over the resolution of legal and political issues in a constitutional manner," said Habiburokhman.

According to him, Tom and Hasto, who are defendants in the corruption case, did not enrich themselves and did not take state funds.

Beyond that issue, the President is also said to have greater considerations for the interests of the nation and state. Furthermore, resolving legal issues using the President's prerogative is not the first time, as it has also been done by previous presidents before Prabowo.

Abolition for Tom and amnesty for Hasto were granted by the President after receiving approval from the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday (31/7/2025). The legal pardons were announced by the Deputy Chairman of the DPR from the Gerindra Party faction, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and the Minister of Law, Supratman Andi Agtas, during a press conference at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday evening.

At the press conference, the Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi was also present, along with the leaders of Commission III of the DPR, including representatives from the Gerindra faction, Golkar Party, and the National Awakening Party.

In addition to Hasto, the government also granted amnesty to several other convicts. In total, there are 1,116 convicts who received pardons for offenses related to presidential defamation, unarmed treason, politically related cases, as well as elderly prisoners and prisoners with mental health issues. Meanwhile, abolition was only granted to Tom.

However, as of Friday afternoon, the Presidential Decree regarding the granting of abolition and amnesty has not yet been issued. The jury stated that the administrative matter will be conveyed by the Presidential Secretariat.

"Mr Ariyo (Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Major General Ariyo Windutomo) will convey the information regarding the presidential decree," said Juri.

He didn't deny that the relevant presidential decree hadn't yet been issued. However, it would be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the presidential decree regarding abolition and amnesty has not yet been issued, and Tom and Hasto are still unable to be released from their sentences. Tom, the defendant in the sugar import case who was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison by the Corruption Court on July 18, is still being held at the Cipinang Detention Center in Jakarta.

Similarly, Hasto, who is convicted in the bribery case regarding the interim replacement of members of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period, is still under court detention. However, Hasto, who is placed in the detention center branch of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the Red and White Building in Jakarta, was allowed to leave the detention center on Friday morning for two hours for eye treatment in the Menteng area.