Made Supriatma – One interpretation of the Indonesian president's recent pardons of two prominent politicians is that the quality of mercy is sometimes strained.
As Indonesia celebrated its 80th Independence Day, President Prabowo Subianto, following tradition, granted pardons to convicted felons in late July. Among those pardoned were two prominent politicians: Thomas "Tom" Trikasih Lembong, who was briefly former President Joko Widodo's trade minister (2015-2016), and Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
For context, Lembong was convicted of graft related to sugar imports during his ministerial tenure and sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment and a fine. Adding intrigue, Lembong was the key advisor to Anies Baswedan, Prabowo's rival in the 2024 presidential election (PE) and a fierce critic and opponent of Widodo. His connection with Anies fuelled public suspicions that Lembong's prosecution may have been politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Hasto was tried and convicted in a bribery case, sentenced to three and a half years in prison. His prosecution is also seen as politically motivated, given the broader conflict between his party, PDI-P, Widodo's erstwhile base, and the former president. The PDI-P viewed Widodo as betraying the party after he endorsed Prabowo instead of its preferred candidate, Ganjar Pranowo; Prabowo chose Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate. Notably, Hasto signed the order expelling Jokowi and his family members.
Under the law, the two men received different treatments. Prabowo's 30 July clemency decree granted Lembong an abolition (abolisi, which under Indonesian law cancels out all proceedings including investigation, prosecution, trial, and appeal). Thus, Lembong is fully acquitted and no longer bears any legal consequences of the earlier charges or sentence against him. In contrast, Hasto was granted amnesty, which removes penal consequences (such as imprisonment and fines), but does not erase his underlying conviction.
Why would Prabowo pardon two figures widely seen as his predecessor's (and then his) political opponents? While his allies have framed his decision as a gesture of reconciliation and unity, it serves a politically strategic purpose. By extending Lembong and Hasto pardons, Prabowo arguably seeks to 'embrace' but simultaneously weaken the opposition's elites. This reflects his broader ambition to neutralise dissent and consolidate power, echoing a vision of Indonesia as an "integralist state". This is a concept that was debated during the Republic's founding and even until today, which emphasises unity over pluralism and opposition.
Supporting their leader Prabowo, Gerindra politicians say that the abolition and amnesty were intended to foster national reconciliation. There may be some truth to this: Prabowo has made a concerted effort to embrace his political opponents over the years. Confronted with longstanding criticism over his human rights record, for instance, he reached out to erstwhile pro-democracy activists, including figures from the left. This is notable, given that militarily aligned politicians in Indonesia have historically viewed the left – often equated with Communists – as their primary adversary.
Yet Prabowo's governing style and philosophy are not simply transactional, as in exchanges of favours or quid pro quo, nor are they rooted in democratic inclusivity. He has often expressed disdain for liberal democracy, describing it as "tiring and messy". Instead, he prefers what he calls "polite", Indonesian-style democracy. His approach towards nation-building supports the concept of an integralist state, first articulated by legal scholar Soepomo during the 1945 Investigating Committee for the Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI) debates. In Indonesian political thought, such a state views the nation as an organic whole, where the interests of the state, individuals, and groups are deemed inseparable. It prioritises unity over contestation, often suppressing pluralism in the name of harmony.
Like Gerindra, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas justified the clemency as a step toward national unity and reconciliation; the DPR approved the presidential decree. However, legal experts and civil society have levelled sharp criticism, arguing that this move undermined the independence of the judiciary. Second, it reflected political bargaining rather than a genuine commitment to justice and accountability. Last, it could discourage law enforcement from investigating or prosecuting other politicians.
Criticism was especially pointed at Hasto's case, which many suspected was motivated by Prabowo wanting to bring PDI-P into his coalition. After his release from custody, Hasto immediately flew to Bali to attend the party's annual Congress, where Megawati Sukarnoputri was re-elected for a sixth term. As chair, Megawati called on her cadres to support the administration, though notably, she made no formal commitment that the party would join Prabowo's coalition.
On the surface, Prabowo appears preoccupied with unity but this is not about embracing diversity or encouraging healthy dissent. Rather, in this author's view, it is about eliminating opposition. For one, Prabowo has established the Indonesia Maju Plus (KIM Plus) coalition, which includes parties that previously supported his rivals in the 2024 PE. By drawing them under his control, he has effectively formed a political cartel. This consolidation of power and rhetoric about unity strongly echoes Soepomo's vision. The President and Gerindra's years-long push to restore the original 1945 Constitution, seen by many in civil society as authoritarian and shaped by integralist ideals, further underscores this. In this context, the clemency that Prabowo has granted to Lembong and Hasto seems to be less gestures of reconciliation and more tools for taming future opposition and dissent.
[Made Supriatma is a Visiting Fellow in the Indonesia Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. Made's research focus is on Indonesian politics, civil-military relations, and ethnic/identity politics and he is also a freelance journalist.]
Source: https://fulcrum.sg/prabowos-pardons-of-political-opponents-a-step-toward-an-integralist-state