Prabowo’s Pardons of Political Opponents: A Step Towards an Integralist State?

Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto (C) after his first trial at the Corruption Court in Jakarta on 14 March 2025 | Photo by Aditya Irawan / AFP

In an article by Fulcrum, Made Supriatma argues that the Indonesian president’s recent pardons of two prominent politicians signals 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.