President Prabowo Subianto has recently made a notable decision by granting amnesty and abolition to PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and businessman Tom Lembong, a move that is being praised as a step towards national reconciliation. This decision, seen as a response to concerns regarding societal divisions ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations, has been commended by senior politician Fahri Hamzah. Fahri highlighted the swift and thoughtful nature of President Prabowo’s decision, emphasizing the importance of ending social polarization and promoting a broader reconciliation process, especially as the country approaches the symbolic date of August 17, 2025.
The use of constitutional prerogative by President Prabowo has been seen as a positive development in efforts to counteract attempts to sow disunity. Fahri expressed optimism about the President’s decision, viewing it as a significant step towards restoring societal harmony and reuniting the nation. The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has approved the amnesty for 1,116 convicted individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto, in accordance with Presidential Letter No. 42/Pres/072725, issued on July 30, 2025.
Amnesty and abolition are legal mechanisms provided for in the Indonesian Constitution, allowing the President to eliminate legal consequences resulting from criminal convictions. The decision by President Prabowo has been widely seen as a sincere effort to bring the nation together and foster unity amidst growing social fragmentation. It is a crucial move towards national harmony and a positive step in addressing issues of societal division.
