President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia has initiated a significant clemency program, leading to the release of hundreds of inmates, including political prisoners, as part of a broad strategy to foster national unity. This move, recently approved by parliament, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape, signaling a concerted effort towards reconciliation and solidarity.

The initial phase of this sweeping initiative saw 1,178 inmates granted amnesty and released on Friday. This followed a presidential decree signed by Subianto, as announced by House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, underscoring the government’s commitment to the clemency plan.

Taking office in October, President Subianto surprised many by declaring his intention to pardon approximately 44,000 inmates across the archipelago. The primary motivation behind this ambitious national unity plan is to heal divisions and strengthen the fabric of the country, particularly by addressing cases rooted in political circumstances, aiming for broad prisoner release.

Law Minister Agtas elaborated on the categories of prisoners prioritized for pardon under this scheme. These include individuals convicted of political offenses, those suffering from mental and chronic health illnesses, the elderly, juveniles, and persons jailed for blasphemy or insulting national leaders, reflecting a compassionate and inclusive approach to political amnesty.

Among the high-profile individuals freed on Friday were notable figures who had been rivals of former President Joko Widodo. Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the nation’s sole formal opposition party, was one such prominent release, impacting Indonesian politics significantly.

Kristiyanto, initially an ally of ex-President Widodo, later emerged as a strong critic. His recent conviction for bribery in a 2019 legislative seat appointment scheme led to a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, making his inclusion in the clemency list particularly significant for national discourse.

Another key figure benefiting from the clemency was former Trade Minister Tom Lembong. Lembong, also a former Widodo ally, shifted his allegiance during the 2024 presidential election to support political rival Anies Baswedan, highlighting the intricate political dynamics at play within Indonesian politics.

Lembong had been sentenced to over four years in prison in July for alleged abuse of authority regarding improper sugar import permits. His release, alongside Kristiyanto, underscores the administration’s intent to extend reconciliation even to those who had previously opposed the former government as part of the broader clemency program.

Minister Agtas emphasized that both Kristiyanto and Lembong had demonstrated service to the nation, reiterating that the current priority is to strengthen national unity in Indonesia. Authorities are also preparing a second list of 1,668 inmates for parliamentary approval, signaling the ongoing nature of this far-reaching initiative for prisoner release.