“I am convinced that every decision Mr. President makes results from comprehensive calculation,” he remarked during his official visit to Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, on Friday (August 1).
In a voice recording cited in Jakarta, he noted that the president granted an abolition to the former minister and an amnesty to the PDIP elite and other convicts as Indonesia nears its 80th independence anniversary on August 17.
On that note, the vice president emphasized that the legal relief also represents the head of state’s effort to strengthen the sense of brotherhood and unity.
“Considering that the August 17 celebrations are drawing closer, this is the right time to foster brotherhood among all members of the nation,” Gibran remarked.
Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro echoed a similar sentiment on the same day, telling the public that the president’s clemency policy aims to bolster national unity ahead of Independence Day.
“Mr. President will always adopt policies, including those with political significance, that promote unity and integrity. He will grant an abolition, an amnesty, or enact other measures that help strengthen the bond between all elements of the nation,” he remarked at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
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He remarked that the clemencies, which also cover over one thousand other convicts, demonstrate the government’s commitment to equality.
Earlier, on Thursday (July 31), Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas confirmed that he initiated the recommendation to award clemencies to the former minister and the senior PDIP figure at the president’s discretion.
“I signed and sent a letter suggesting the amnesty and abolition to Mr. President,” he told the media at the Parliamentary Complex.
On the same occasion, House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad stated that the parliament had approved the president’s request for legal relief for Lembong and Hasto.
Lembong was sentenced to four years and six months in prison and fined Rp750 million (around US$46 thousand) for his role in a sugar import corruption case, with an additional six-month jail term as an alternative.
Meanwhile, Hasto was pronounced guilty of bribery related to a legislative election case involving fugitive Harun Masiku. He received a 3.5-year sentence and must pay a Rp250 million fine, or face another three months behind bars.
Related news: Lembong, Kristiyanto walk free after presidential pardon
Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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