In a recent address to Indonesian university students in Cairo, President Prabowo Subianto proposed the possibility of pardoning individuals involved in corruption if they return stolen public funds. The initiative aligns with his administration’s pledge to tackle corruption and ensure accountability.
Prabowo urged wrongdoers to come forward and repay their ill-gotten gains, stating, “Hey you corrupters, or those who feel that you have stolen from the people, if you return what you stole, we might forgive you. But please return it.”
While details of the plan remain undisclosed, Prabowo hinted at providing mechanisms for discreet restitution.
Prabowo, who assumed office on October 20, has emphasized a “realistic” approach to combating corruption, including raising the wages of state officials managing significant budgets. His administration’s efforts mark a shift from perceived stagnation in Indonesia’s anti-corruption drive during former President Joko Widodo’s tenure.
Prabowo’s remarks come after his government pardoned 44,000 prisoners, including drug offenders, activists convicted of defamation, and critics from Papua. He also alluded to encouraging compliance through a system similar to Widodo’s tax amnesty program, which incentivized the declaration of undeclared assets.
While the proposal has drawn attention, its implementation and potential implications remain unclear. Indonesia’s law minister has yet to comment on how the amnesty plan might function or its alignment with existing legal frameworks.
