Jakarta – The Chairman of the Indonesia Memanggil 57+ Institute (IM57+), Lakso Anindito, criticized President Prabowo Subianto's plan to pardon corrupt individuals who return the proceeds of their crimes. Lakso argued that such a move could actually lead to an increase in the rate of corruption cases.
Pardoning corrupt individuals, he said, would eliminate the deterrent effect of committing the crime. "This would not reduce, but rather increase the potential for corruption," Lakso said when contacted on Friday, December 20.
Lakso further stated that Prabowo's plan to offer amnesty to corruptors, even if they return the stolen assets, could backfire in the future. He argued that forgiving corrupt individuals would not address the root issues of corruption.
"Corruption is not just a thing of the past, but also a present-day issue," he pointed out. He believes the pardoning corruptors if they return the stolen asset would only make them rationalize the crime.
As opposed to considering amnesty for corrupt individuals, Lakso suggested that Prabowo focus on implementing stronger asset recovery measures through the Asset Forfeiture Law. He also urged the president to take concrete measures to ensure law enforcers' independence in combating corruption.
"This is to prevent leaks, thus ensuring that the fight against corruption is not merely an empty rhetoric."
Prabowo introduced the idea of pardoning corrupt individuals when delivering a speech to Indonesian students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. The president stated that he wants to provide an opportunity for corrupt individuals to repent.
According to him, corrupt individuals who return the money or compensate for the state losses they incurred could be pardoned by the government, and their identities protected. "We want to give corrupt individuals a chance to return the proceeds of their crimes, in exchange for which their identities won't be exposed," Prabowo said, as quoted from the YouTube broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday, December 18.
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.