Hotel Sultan Execution Plan Draws Criticism from Bagir Manan and Din Syamsuddin

Jakarta – The planned execution of Hotel Sultan on 18 June 2026 has drawn criticism from several national figures. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan believes that the implementation of an immediate execution ruling in this dispute should not be forced, as the case is complex and still leaves many legal issues unresolved. Bagir conveyed this view during the launch of a book titled ‘Pontjo Sutowo: Jihad Melawan Ketidakadilan’ at Hotel Sultan, Jakarta, on Saturday, 13 June 2026. The forum was also attended by former Corruption Eradication Commission Chairman Abraham Samad, former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hamdan Zoelva, former Muhammadiyah General Chairman Din Syamsuddin, and the owner of PT Indobuildco, Pontjo Sutowo. Bagir reminded attendees that an immediate execution ruling is an extraordinary legal instrument. According to him, this mechanism is typically applied when there is an urgent situation and the direction of the case’s evidence is very clear. However, after examining various aspects of the Hotel Sultan dispute, Bagir sees issues that are far more complicated than an ordinary civil case. ‘A complex case between the state and a citizen should not be treated as a simple matter that can be resolved through an immediate execution ruling,’ Bagir said. He believes there are still several legal aspects that must be respected and tested through the ongoing judicial process before a final action is taken. Bagir also reminded that the state’s authority to manage resources for the public interest cannot be exercised without limits. According to him, actions concerning citizens’ rights must be based on clear and accountable reasons. ‘From the various explanations I have heard, I have not seen any circumstances indicating that the rights holder has abused their rights. I also have not seen any urgent public interest or extraordinary reasons of public order,’ Bagir stated. He stressed that rights obtained legally cannot be revoked without a strong legal basis. ‘A right obtained legally according to the law cannot be terminated without a clear public interest reason, without abuse of rights, and without protection of the basic rights of the rights holder,’ he said.