DPR Does Not Object to Amnesty Recipients Joining Reserve Component

The House of Representatives (DPR) has no objection to the requirement for prisoners who receive amnesty on Independence Day, 17 August, to participate in the national reserve component programme (Komcad). Deputy Speaker of Commission I from the Golkar Party, Dave Laksono, stated that the Komcad requirement for amnesty recipients is entirely the prerogative of the government or the President. He noted the condition is intended to ensure that inmates maintain a spirit of nationalism and discipline after their release. “There will be certain requirements for amnesty recipients, including participation in coaching programmes such as the Reserve Component, which is certainly part of government policy,” Dave said when contacted on Thursday (2/7). He expressed support for the plan as long as the granting of amnesty complies with statutory regulations. According to Dave, amnesty is fundamentally a constitutional right of the President, explicitly regulated under Article 14, paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, although its execution requires the consideration of the DPR. “This means that although it is the authority of the President as head of state, its implementation remains within the constitutional corridor and involves a checks-and-balances mechanism through DPR consideration,” he said. More technically, amnesty refers to Emergency Law Number 11 of 1954 on Amnesty and Abolition. The law affirms that the President may grant amnesty on the basis of national interest. “In constitutional practice, national interest can encompass various considerations, including humanitarian aspects, national reconciliation, rehabilitation, and other strategic considerations deemed important for the nation and state,” he added. Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto previously stated that President Prabowo Subianto has prepared to grant amnesty to prisoners on 17 August this year. However, before being released, amnesty recipients must undergo the Komcad programme. He said the amnesty is one of the government’s concrete efforts to address overcrowding in several prisons and detention centres across Indonesia. “Hopefully, as I mentioned earlier, this August the President will grant amnesty to prisoners under the age of 35. But they will not be released directly; instead, they will join Komcad so they become disciplined,” Agus said.