TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is also the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto, expressed his gratitude to Tohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, for his crucial role in securing the release of Indonesian citizen Arnold Putra from detention in Myanmar.
In an official statement on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Hashim said Arnold’s release was made possible thanks to Sasakawa’s diplomatic efforts. Sasakawa, a Japanese philanthropist with close ties to Myanmar’s military leadership, was praised for his empathy and cross-border solidarity.
“The Indonesian people are grateful to Tohei Sasakawa, a respected Japanese philanthropist, for his humanitarian commitment,” Hashim said.
Hashim explained that he introduced Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to Sasakawa, which led to an informal diplomatic channel. Through this connection, Sjafrie asked Sasakawa to help resolve Arnold’s case.
In response, Sasakawa reportedly traveled to Yangon and met with Myanmar military officials. Following the meeting, the Myanmar authorities agreed to release Arnold, who had been detained for months.
Hashim expressed hope that the cooperation would strengthen humanitarian diplomacy across Asia.
Arnold Putra, also known as AP, had been arrested by Myanmar authorities on December 20, 2024, for allegedly entering the country illegally and meeting with an armed opposition group. He was charged under several laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Immigration Law, and the Unlawful Associations Act.
“After the legal proceedings, AP was sentenced to seven years in prison,” said Judha Nugraha, Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, on July 1. During his sentence, Arnold was held at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon submitted a diplomatic note to the Myanmar government and worked with Arnold’s family to request amnesty. On July 16, 2025, the Myanmar Foreign Ministry informed the Indonesian Embassy that the State Administration Council had granted clemency.
“The Indonesian Embassy in Yangon accompanied AP as he departed Myanmar for Bangkok,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat in a written statement on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Arnold was deported via Thailand on July 19 before returning to Indonesia.
Adinda Jasmine contributed to the writing of this article.
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