Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal Urges President Prabowo to Impose the Death Penalty and Asset Confiscation for Corrupt Officials
Jakarta – International legal scholar Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal, S.H., M.H., has called on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to take firm action in combating corruption by imposing the harshest penalties on convicted corrupt officials, including the death penalty where permitted under Indonesian law, as well as the confiscation of all assets obtained through corruption.
Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal made the statement while responding to questions from several editors-in-chief of print and online media, both domestic and international, via telephone from the Kopassus Residential Complex in Cijantung, Jakarta, on Friday (July 31, 2026).
According to Sutan Nasomal, the Indonesian people are waiting for decisive measures from the government to strengthen law enforcement against corruption, which he believes has caused significant financial losses to the state and harmed public welfare.
“Punishment for corruptors must create a strong deterrent effect. In addition to imposing severe criminal penalties, all assets obtained through corruption should be confiscated by the state so that offenders are left with nothing. Such measures are expected to significantly reduce corruption in Indonesia,” Sutan Nasomal stated.
He also expressed concern that some corruption cases have resulted in relatively light prison sentences, which, in his view, have created a public perception that law enforcement remains weak.
Sutan Nasomal urged President Prabowo to issue firm directives to all state officials—including ministers, governors, mayors, regents, sub-district heads, and village officials—to uphold integrity and refrain from engaging in corrupt practices. He argued that any public official found guilty of corruption through a final and legally binding court decision should receive severe punishment in accordance with applicable laws.
He further emphasized that corruption is among the most serious crimes because it represents an abuse of public trust and has widespread consequences for national development and the welfare of society.
In addition, Sutan Nasomal proposed comprehensive audits of the assets of every public official before and after serving in office. He suggested that such audits involve the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), with the results made available to the public.
“If an official is proven guilty of corruption through a final court ruling, the individual must serve the prescribed sentence under the law, and all illicit assets should be confiscated by the state. Conversely, if an official is found to be free from wrongdoing, his or her integrity should be fully respected,” he said.
During his remarks, Sutan Nasomal also referred to a corruption case that, in his opinion, resulted in an overly lenient sentence, drawing criticism from segments of the public. He described the example as reflecting his personal views on the current state of anti-corruption law enforcement.
He stressed that justice must be administered fairly and equally, regardless of an individual’s social status or official position.
“The law must not be harsh toward ordinary citizens while remaining lenient toward those in power. Every citizen must be treated equally before the law,” he asserted.
Source: Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal, S.H., M.H. – International Legal Scholar, Economist, President of the Merdeka Opposition Party, Chairman of the Indonesian Young Advocates Association (PAMID), Chairman of the Professor Sutan Nasomal Legal Aid Foundation (YPLBH), and Founder and Head of Ass Saqwa Plus Islamic Boarding School.
Editor: Kamidi, CFLE.
