At a press conference on Thursday (July 31), he noted that the pardons for the two figures were based on certain considerations.
"The minister of law proposed the abolition and amnesty to President Prabowo Subianto. I signed the letter of request to the president," Agtas remarked.
According to Agtas, the main reason for granting the pardons was for the benefit of the nation and the state.
Other factors included creating a conducive situation, fostering brotherhood among all citizens, and jointly building the Indonesian nation, the minister remarked.
"We need to foster a sense of brotherhood among all the nation's citizens while simultaneously considering building this nation together with all political elements and political forces in Indonesia," he explained.
However, the decision to grant amnesty also involved subjective considerations.
Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto were deemed to have made significant contributions to the country, Agtas remarked.
He ensured that the pardons were strictly based on legal review.
He explained that the abolition granted to Tom Lembong would halt all ongoing legal proceedings against him, while Hasto's amnesty would be granted at the same time as amnesty to 1,116 other inmates who met the requirements and were subject to government verification.
On the same occasion, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco, stated that the House approved President Prabowo's request for sentence abolition for Tom Lembong and amnesty for 1,116 people, including Hasto Kristiyanto.
Tom Lembong had been sentenced to four years and six months for corruption related to sugar imports, while Hasto Kristiyanto received a sentence of three years and six months of imprisonment for his involvement in bribery related to the replacement of Harun Masiku.
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Translator: Fath Putra M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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