Expert: Law Enforcement Must Be Free from Political Party Influence
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Secretary-General of the Association of Criminal Law and Criminology Lecturers (Asperhupiki) Ahmad Sofian has stated that political parties must not be permitted to influence law enforcement agencies (APH) in the prosecution of criminal cases targeting political opponents.
Sofian affirmed that the position of political parties in law enforcement must follow President Prabowo Subianto's firm directive that law enforcement agencies must not harass political opponents and must remain neutral.
"President Prabowo's statement must be followed by the ruling political parties, who must refrain from involvement in influencing law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies must have the courage to be neutral and professional in carrying out their duties," he told ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to Sofian, current legal procedures do not require new standard operating procedures (SOPs) or new circulars to implement President Prabowo's firm directive.
Sofian also stressed that law enforcement agencies must avoid the practice of criminalisation against political opponents who are not in power or innocent members of the public.
"There is no need for new SOPs or new circulars, because the law already clearly states it must not take sides, and law enforcers must not criminalise anyone, including political opponents who are not in power or members of the public who have not broken the law," he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto reminded law enforcement agencies — from the police to the prosecution service and other law enforcement institutions — not to use the law to "mess with" Indonesia's political opponents.
President Prabowo affirmed that as the holder of a mandate from the people, he guarantees that the rule of law applies in Indonesia, as legal certainty creates stability and provides a sense of calm and security for the public.
The President made these remarks whilst attending the Indonesia Economy Outlook (IEO) 2026 event in Jakarta on Friday (13 February), speaking before economists, investors and economic practitioners.
"I am determined: Obey the law! There is no compromise. We must uphold the law properly, but there must be no miscarriage of justice. The law must not be used as a tool to 'mess with' political opponents. That is not allowed! I do not want that, and I have already proved it — I have proved I have the courage to grant abolition, I have the courage to grant amnesty if I feel something has gone wrong," said Prabowo.
Prabowo's statement referred to his decision on 31 July 2025 to grant amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of PDI-P, who had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a bribery case involving fugitive Harun Masiku.
At the same time, the President also granted abolition to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, who had been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a sugar import case.
During the 2024 presidential election, both Hasto and Tom Lembong were in the opposing camp to Prabowo as political rivals in that contest.
Sofian affirmed that the position of political parties in law enforcement must follow President Prabowo Subianto's firm directive that law enforcement agencies must not harass political opponents and must remain neutral.
"President Prabowo's statement must be followed by the ruling political parties, who must refrain from involvement in influencing law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies must have the courage to be neutral and professional in carrying out their duties," he told ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to Sofian, current legal procedures do not require new standard operating procedures (SOPs) or new circulars to implement President Prabowo's firm directive.
Sofian also stressed that law enforcement agencies must avoid the practice of criminalisation against political opponents who are not in power or innocent members of the public.
"There is no need for new SOPs or new circulars, because the law already clearly states it must not take sides, and law enforcers must not criminalise anyone, including political opponents who are not in power or members of the public who have not broken the law," he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto reminded law enforcement agencies — from the police to the prosecution service and other law enforcement institutions — not to use the law to "mess with" Indonesia's political opponents.
President Prabowo affirmed that as the holder of a mandate from the people, he guarantees that the rule of law applies in Indonesia, as legal certainty creates stability and provides a sense of calm and security for the public.
The President made these remarks whilst attending the Indonesia Economy Outlook (IEO) 2026 event in Jakarta on Friday (13 February), speaking before economists, investors and economic practitioners.
"I am determined: Obey the law! There is no compromise. We must uphold the law properly, but there must be no miscarriage of justice. The law must not be used as a tool to 'mess with' political opponents. That is not allowed! I do not want that, and I have already proved it — I have proved I have the courage to grant abolition, I have the courage to grant amnesty if I feel something has gone wrong," said Prabowo.
Prabowo's statement referred to his decision on 31 July 2025 to grant amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of PDI-P, who had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a bribery case involving fugitive Harun Masiku.
At the same time, the President also granted abolition to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, who had been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a sugar import case.
During the 2024 presidential election, both Hasto and Tom Lembong were in the opposing camp to Prabowo as political rivals in that contest.