Prabowo to Grant Legal Pardons to Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto via Presidential Decree

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto will soon issue a presidential decree granting clemency to Hasto Kristiyanto and Thomas Trikasih Lembong, known as Tom Lembong, after receiving parliamentary approval for the amnesty and abolition proposals.

The House of Representatives (DPR) approved two separate presidential letters (Surpres) during a consultation with the executive on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The letters propose amnesty for Hasto, Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), and abolition for Tom Lembong, former Minister of Trade.

Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas confirmed that President Prabowo would formalize the pardons through a presidential decree (Keppres) shortly.

“Once the President receives the DPR’s consideration, a decree will be issued. The DPR’s cross-factional support is complete, and now we await the President’s final action,” Supratman said at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta.

Part of Broader Clemency Program

The clemency is part of a broader legal pardon initiative to commemorate the Republic of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. The program includes amnesty for 1,116 individuals from a total of 44,000 applicants.

“This is the result of thorough verification and public review. The names submitted, including Hasto’s, meet the legal and humanitarian considerations presented to the President,” Supratman explained.

The Ministry also confirmed that the amnesty program covers individuals convicted of insulting the president and six prisoners involved in nonviolent treason cases in Papua.

“These pardons take into account age, mental illness, and chronic illness among inmates. Some clearly require medical care outside the correctional system,” Supratman added.

Under Indonesian law, abolisi is a presidential right to cancel ongoing legal proceedings, while amnesti erases legal punishments that have already been imposed.

Palace: No Political Motive

Responding to speculation, the Presidential Palace emphasized that the decision was purely legal and not politically driven.

“The President’s decision is based on established legal procedures and criteria. It is part of a broader clemency program, not a political move,” said Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Juri Ardiantoro during a briefing at the Presidential Palace on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

Juri stressed that President Prabowo respected the previous judicial process and was not seeking to override past government decisions.

“There is no interference or correction of prior decisions here. The President respects the rule of law and the process leading up to these decisions,” Juri said. He also confirmed that the presidential decrees would be issued soon.

“We’re just waiting for the final administrative steps. It won’t take long,” he said.

Legal Basis and Parliamentary Support

DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed the legislative body had approved the clemency proposals through two official letters from President Prabowo dated July 30, 2025.

Letter No. R43/Pres/072025 concerns the abolition granted to Tom Lembong, effectively terminating all legal proceedings against him.

Letter No. R42/Pres/072025 pertains to the amnesty granted to 1,116 individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto, removing their criminal penalties. With both approvals secured, the final step lies with the President’s office to enact the decision via Keppres

---

Get deep insights into political and economic developments that matter. Analyze markets and policy shifts with InvestingPro — enjoy an exclusive discount for Investortrust readers. Click here to access the offer.