Prabowo’s Political Rivals Among Over 1,000 Granted Clemency

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted clemency to two high-profile political rivals and more than 1,000 others in a gesture of national reconciliation ahead of Independence Day on Aug. 17, a move political observers said could tighten his grip on power.

Relief for former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong and senior opposition official Hasto Kristiyanto was announced late Thursday alongside the mass amnesty, which included people jailed under controversial laws covering presidential insult and non-violent treason. The two men were recently convicted in separate corruption cases, with rulings subject to appeals.