(Bloomberg) — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto offered those accused of corruption an unconventional deal: Return stolen state assets — even quietly — and you might be pardoned.
Prabowo gave “a chance to repent” to those who have stolen from the government treasury. “To the corrupt, or those who feel they have stolen from the people, give back what you have taken and maybe we will forgive you,” he said in a speech Wednesday to hundreds of students in Cairo during his visit to Egypt. ”
“You can also do it secretly, so that no one knows,” he said, without giving further details on how the policy would be implemented.
Prabowo, a former general, has promised to step up efforts to root out corruption, which he says has drained government finances. He has promised dedicated funds to cracking down on corrupt officials and increasing the salaries of law enforcement officers to prevent future abuses.
“Trust me, I will clean up the system of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said in Cairo.
Corruption is a perennial problem in Southeast Asia’s largest economy and is commonly cited as an obstacle to doing business. Indonesia ranked 115th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting the challenge of reversing long-standing systemic abuses.
This initiative is practical for recovering lost assets and strengthening fiscal health, but also raises questions about the long-term impact of institutional reforms. The government’s main anti-corruption body is the KPK, which critics say has become weak since it was placed directly under the office of the President.
“From a legal perspective, implementing such a pardon presents significant challenges, as existing laws require strict enforcement of penalties for corruption,” said Dedi Dinarto, chief Indonesia analyst at the Global Council, a public policy advisory firm. ”
“I suggest we wait and see if this speech results in any policy changes,” he said. “If so, it may indicate a soft approach towards anti-corruption efforts in the country.”
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