Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto has been praised for his wisdom and foresight in granting amnesty and abolition to PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and businessman Tom Lembong—a move widely seen as a gesture toward national reconciliation.

According to senior politician Fahri Hamzah, the decision reflects a swift and thoughtful response by President Prabowo to address concerns over growing societal divisions ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations.

“The swift response from House Speaker Prof. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad demonstrates the ability to read a clear signal from the President—one aimed at ending social polarization and initiating a broader reconciliation process, especially as we approach the symbolic moment of August 17, 2025,” Fahri stated Thursday (July 31) via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Fahri emphasized that President Prabowo’s use of his constitutional prerogative is a welcome development, especially amid efforts by certain groups to stir disunity.

“For me, this is heartening news amid efforts by some to sow division. The President has taken a firm stance, exercising his authority to make a decision with profound implications for restoring societal harmony,” he said.

He added that this step reflects a genuine attempt to reunify the nation.

“May President Prabowo’s exercise of constitutional power be seen as a sincere effort to bring this great nation back together in the face of fragmentation,” he added.

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has approved the amnesty for 1,116 convicted individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto, as outlined in Presidential Letter No. 42/Pres/072725, dated July 30, 2025.

Amnesty and abolition are both forms of the President’s prerogative rights under the Indonesian Constitution, used to eliminate legal consequences stemming from criminal convictions.