Praised for Aiding Release of Indonesian Influencer Mr. Arnold Putra from Myanmar
Published on September 3, 2025
Indonesian businessman Mr. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is also the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto, has expressed his gratitude to me for playing a key role in securing the release of Indonesian social media influencer Mr. Arnold Putra from detention in Myanmar, it was widely reported by Indonesian media.
“The Indonesian people are grateful to Mr. Sasakawa, a respected Japanese philanthropist, for his cross-border empathy and solidarity,” Mr. Hashim said in a statement on July 23.
He explained that he introduced Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to me, which led to an informal diplomatic channel through which he asked me to help resolve Mr. Putra’s case.
“Through an introduction I facilitated between Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Mr. Sasakawa, who has close ties with Myanmar’s military leadership, a peaceful and dignified resolution became possible,” he was quoted by antaranews.com. as saying.
In response, I flew to Yangon and met with Myanmar military officials.
Mr. Hashim expressed hope that the cooperation leading to the release would strengthen humanitarian diplomacy across Asia.
Mr. Arnold Putra, also known as AP, had been detained in Myanmar since December 2024 for allegedly entering illegally and contacting armed groups deemed illegal by the Myanmar authorities. He was sentenced to seven years in Insein Prison under immigration, anti-terrorism and unlawful association laws.
“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.
“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 July 20. Mr. Putra was deported via Thailand and arrived back on July 21 on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Bangkok.
Speaking on behalf of the Indonesian Defence Ministry, Brigadier General TNI Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang, head of the Defense Information Bureau at the Ministry's Secretariat General, expressed deep appreciation to Mr. Hashim Djojohadikusumo and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), for which I serve as honorary chair, for their critical support throughout the process. This collaboration played a pivotal role in facilitating Mr. Putra's release, the brigadier general added.