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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Prabowo's political rivals among over 1,000 granted clemency before Indonesia's Independence Day
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted clemency to two high-profile political rivals, in a gesture of national reconciliation ahead of Independence Day on Aug 17 that included amnesty for more than 1,000 people. Relief for former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong and senior opposition official Hasto Kristiyanto was announced July 31 alongside the mass amnesty, which included people jailed under controversial laws covering presidential insult and non-violent treason. Mr Lembong, a prominent critic of Mr Prabowo during the 2024 election campaign, was a key adviser to rival candidate Anies Baswedan. Mr Hasto, meanwhile, serves as secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, known as PDI-P, the only major party outside Mr Prabowo's ruling coalition and the largest bloc in Parliament. The move could ease political tensions with the PDI-P, whose chair Megawati Soekarnoputri has so far withheld public support for Mr Prabowo. Their legal relief – abolition for Mr Lembong and amnesty for Mr Hasto – was approved by parliament on July 31, after receiving the presidential letters. They were both convicted recently in separate graft cases. Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said during a press conference late on July 31 that the decision was grounded in legal review and framed it as a unifying act. Under Indonesia's constitution, the president has the authority to grant amnesty and abolition, subject to parliamentary approval. Mr Lembong's legal team described the move as a constitutional correction of a flawed legal process. Mr Hasto's lawyers said in a text message they are awaiting a formal presidential decree. Bloomberg
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia court convicts aide of former president Megawati in blow to opposition
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court convicted a senior aide to former President Megawati Soekarnoputri in a corruption case, dealing a blow to the leadership of the nation's main opposition party. The Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (July 25) found Hasto Kristiyanto (pic), secretary general of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), guilty of bribing a former election commission official in 2019 to facilitate the replacement of a member of parliament. Hasto was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined 250 million rupiah (US$15,319). The court acquitted him of a separate charge of obstructing a corruption investigation into a fugitive linked to the party. Both parties have seven days to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence. The case has revived longstanding concerns about judicial independence in the South-East Asian democracy, particularly as other opposition-linked figures come under legal scrutiny. Last week, a vocal government critic and former trade minister was convicted in a graft case related to sugar imports. Hasto has consistently denied wrongdoing. He said Friday that his verdict was similar to what the former minister had experienced, "where the law becomes a tool of power.' Prosecutors previously have denied any ulterior motive in the case. The ruling represents a setback for PDI-P, the largest party in parliament and the sole major party outside the ruling coalition of President Prabowo Subianto. The imprisonment of a senior official could diminish the party's parliamentary influence, and prompt internal debates over whether to continue its relatively non-adversarial stance or emerge as a stronger opposition force. Political analysts have long perceived the charges against Hasto as politically driven, in part because they stemmed from events dating back years and because of the timing of a falling-out with former President Joko Widodo. The case originated late last year after PDI-P formally ended its alliance with Widodo for endorsing Prabowo rather than the party's own candidate in Indonesia's presidential election. In court, Hasto had claimed he was threatened with arrest if his party went ahead with expelling Widodo. The former president has denied any involvement in the alleged threat, telling reporters in March that there would be no point in threatening someone not to expel him. "What would I gain? What would I lose?' he said according to local media outlet Detik News. The verdict comes a week after Thomas Trikasih Lembong, the former trade minister and a vocal critic of both Widodo and Prabowo in recent years, was found guilty in a case related to sugar imports a decade ago. Both Lembong and prosecutors this week filed appeals in the case. - Bloomberg
Nikkei Asia
7 days ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Second Indonesian opposition politician jailed in controversial verdict
Politics Bribery conviction pushes country's largest party farther away from Prabowo, experts say Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, speaks to journalists in January. He is sentenced to three and a half years in prison on July 25 over a 2019 bribery case. (Photo by Joseph Rachman) ISMI DAMAYANTI JAKARTA -- The Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Friday sentenced a senior Indonesian opposition politician to three and a half years in prison, its second graft conviction in a week in cases that critics slammed as politically charged. The court declared Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), guilty of bribery, ordering him also to pay a 250 million rupiah fine ($15,300) or spend an extra three months behind bars.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Indonesia court convicts aide of former president Megawati in blow to opposition
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Hasto Krsitiyanto was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined 250 million rupiah (S$19,605). JAKARTA – An Indonesian court convicted a senior aide to former President Megawati Soekarnoputri in a corruption case, dealing a blow to the leadership of the nation's main opposition party. The Central Jakarta District Court on July 25 found Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary-general of Ms Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), guilty of bribing a former election commission official in 2019 to facilitate the replacement of a Member of Parliament. Hasto was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined 250 million rupiah (S$19,605). The court acquitted him of a separate charge of obstructing a corruption investigation into a fugitive linked to the party. Both parties have seven days to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence. The case has revived longstanding concerns about judicial independence in the South-east Asian democracy, particularly as other opposition-linked figures come under legal scrutiny. Last week, a vocal government critic and former trade minister was convicted in a graft case related to sugar imports. Hasto has consistently denied wrongdoing. He said on July 25 that his verdict was similar to what the former minister had experienced, 'where the law becomes a tool of power.' Prosecutors previously have denied any ulterior motive in the case. The ruling represents a setback for PDI-P, the largest party in Parliament and the sole major party outside the ruling coalition of President Prabowo Subianto. The imprisonment of a senior official could diminish the party's parliamentary influence, and prompt internal debates over whether to continue its relatively non-adversarial stance or emerge as a stronger opposition force. Political analysts have long perceived the charges against Hasto as politically driven, in part because they stemmed from events dating back years and because of the timing of a falling-out with former President Joko Widodo. The case originated in late 2024 after PDI-P formally ended its alliance with Mr Widodo for endorsing Mr Prabowo rather than the party's own candidate in Indonesia's presidential election. In court, Hasto had claimed he was threatened with arrest if his party went ahead with expelling Mr Widodo. The former president has denied any involvement in the alleged threat, telling reporters in March that there would be no point in threatening someone not to expel him. 'What would I gain? What would I lose?' he said, according to local media outlet Detik News. The verdict comes a week after Thomas Trikasih Lembong, the former trade minister and a vocal critic of both Mr Widodo and Mr Prabowo in recent years, was found guilty in a case related to sugar imports a decade ago. Both Lembong and prosecutors this week filed appeals in the case. BLOOMBERG
CNA
7 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Indonesia court jails senior opposition official over bribery case
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court on Friday (Jul 25) sentenced a senior politician from the only opposition party in parliament to 3.5 years in jail, in a bribery case linked to a parliamentary appointment. Prosecutors had charged Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, with bribing an election official with S$57,530 (US$44,962) in exchange for a parliamentary seat for a politician he preferred. In last year's presidential election, the PDI-P had backed a rival to Prabowo Subianto, who won by a landslide. Hasto was acquitted of another charge, of obstruction of justice, for helping the favoured politician to escape detention and tampering with evidence by submerging phones in water. "It was proven legally and convincingly that the defendant provided the money ... It was proven that he gave money to a government official," judge Sigit Herman Binaji said. However, it was not proven that Hasto had obstructed the bribery case by instructing his staff to submerge the phones in water, another judge said, adding that investigations into the matter continued. "Praise to God that it was unproven for the obstruction of justice charge," Hasto said at a press conference after the trial. Hasto's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether his client would appeal. The investigation implicating Hasto began five years ago, during the presidency of Prabowo's predecessor Joko Widodo, who at the time was a PDI-P member. Widodo severed ties with the party after it backed different candidates in the 2024 election. Some analysts view Widodo's tacit support for Prabowo, with Widodo's son running as Prabowo's vice president, as a key factor delivering Prabowo to high office.
