Mahfud MD and Several Figures Respond to the Release of Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Following President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to grant abolition to former Minister of Trade Tom Lembong and amnesty to the Secretary General of PDI Perjuangan Hasto Kristiyanto, the DPR has approved it, prompting responses from several political figures. They view the decision for release positively while also reminding that the law should no longer be used as a political tool.

One of the figures who responded positively is the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Mahfud MD. According to him, President Prabowo has taken strategic steps in upholding justice by granting amnesty to Hasto and abolishing charges against Tom Lembong.

"The cries of the people, public opinion, and public common sense are true: the cases of Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto are indeed very politically charged and must not be repeated," he said, as quoted in the video caption, Friday (1/8/2025).

It is known that Tom Lembong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in a sugar import case while serving as Minister of Trade during the period of 2015-2016, by the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 18. Meanwhile, Hasto was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and fined Rp 250 million, with a subsidiary of three months in confinement, by the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 25. Hasto was proven to be involved in the bribery case concerning the replacement of a member of the DPR for Harun Masiku.

On Thursday (31/7/2025), the DPR announced its approval of President Prabowo's proposal to grant amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto and abolition to Tom Lembong, in addition to 1,115 other convicts who received amnesty. Specifically for Hasto and Tom, the granting of amnesty is stated to be for the sake of reconciliation.

As a result of that decision, Mahfud predicts that only theoretical debates will arise regarding the reasons for the differentiation between the granting of amnesty and abolition. He emphasized that abolition refers to the cessation of ongoing legal processes, while amnesty is the removal of the consequences of a conviction.

"But what is most important now is the cry of the people's conscience that the law should not be used as a political tool, that the law is upheld as law, not as a political order. This now provides new hope that the law will begin to be enforced, and hopefully, this will continue. Let us pray that President Prabowo remains motivated to make this country truly a rule of law," said the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.

After Prabowo's request regarding the amnesty and abolition was approved by the DPR, according to Hasto, the release of both individuals is now awaiting the issuance of a Presidential Decree.

In addition to Mahfud MD, several political parties also appreciated the acquittal decision for Hasto and Tom. The National Awakening Party through its member of Commission III of the House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party faction, Abdullah, for instance, views the granting of amnesty and abolition as a means to help enhance political stability.

"Because it shows that the government is ready to open up space for forgiveness and begin the reconciliation process," he added.

The PKB faction believes that President Prabowo has carefully considered this decision, including the political and legal implications it entails. The President's decision must be respected as long as it is based on the principles of justice, public interest, transparency, accountability, and objective considerations.

"The granting of amnesty and abolition certainly has a significant impact on our legal system. Therefore, legal principles such as legality, the presumption of innocence, and equality before the law must remain the primary foundation of every law enforcement process," he stressed.

We no longer want to see legal acrobatics that actually damage public trust in law enforcement agencies.

Abdullah also reminded that the cases of Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto have become widely discussed among academics, observers, and legal experts, as well as receiving serious attention within the DPR. Therefore, he urged that in the future, there should be no more manipulative legal practices or rulings laden with interests.

"We no longer want to see legal acrobatics that undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies," he said.

In addition to PKB, the Deputy Chairman of the Gelora Party, Fahri Hamzah, also considers President Prabowo's decision to be appropriate. Likewise, the swift response from the DPR.

"For me, this is a heartwarming piece of good news amidst the desire of a handful of individuals to continue sowing division. The President has come with a firm stance to exercise his authority in making decisions that have a significant impact on restoring harmony in our society," he stated.

President Prabowo was indeed urged to intervene in the judiciary, but he rejected this. He allowed the freedom and independence of the judiciary to function. However, as the head of state and government leader, as stipulated by the constitution, the President has the right to grant amnesty and abolition. The President specifically granted amnesty and abolition to two important figures whose legal cases have divided our society today.

"Supporters of Hasto believe that the court case against him is a political vendetta from those who view the political stance of PDI-P and the supporters of Ganjar-Mahfud in general as the reason for Hasto being dragged into court. On the other hand, supporters of Tom Lembong are convinced that Tom's position as a former co-pilot of the success team supporting the presidential candidate pair Anies-Muhaimin is the reason why Tom is also being scrutinized for his faults," he explained.

The Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlements hopes that Prabowo's decision can be seen as an effort to reunite the nation from elements and the possibility of division. The momentum of the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, on August 17, is expected to be marked by reconciliation at both the elite level and within society.

"Out there, the world is not doing well; even in ASEAN, there are signs of civil war. Indonesia, as a large country, should set an example by strengthening social cohesion and putting an end to factional politics, and let us end the extreme attitudes in viewing our fellow countrymen," he said as quoted from his X account.