From Behind Prison, Hasto Continues to Carry Out Secretary-General Duties at PDI-P

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Hasto Kristiyanto, continues to perform his duties as Secretary-General despite being detained in a correctional facility. Hasto's presence in carrying out party work is essential to maintain solidarity ahead of the upcoming congress.

The work of the secretariat that is still being carried out by Hasto includes signing several party documents. Most recently, Hasto signed a letter from the Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) regarding the revocation of the regulations of the Central Java DPD of PDI-P. In addition to Hasto, the letter dated April 16, 2025, was also signed by the Chairperson of PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

In fact, since December 24, 2024, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has designated Hasto as a suspect in the bribery case involving KPU member 2017-2022, Wahyu Setiawan, which also implicated Harun Masiku. The KPK has also named Hasto as a suspect in the alleged obstruction of investigation case.

Despite being embroiled in a case, PDI-P has not dismissed Hasto from his position as secretary-general. Hasto is even still actively carrying out his duties from the Class I East Jakarta Detention Center. "Yes, he is still active," said the Chairman of the DPP PDI-P, Ganjar Pranowo, in Jakarta, Saturday (26/4/2025).

The letter signed by Hasto is quite significant. Through this letter, the DPP PDI-P revoked the Regulation of the DPD PDI-P Central Java regarding the victory in the legislative elections. The strategy and policy for guided electoral victory based on mutual cooperation relying on the party machinery is declared no longer in effect.

Hasto's presence in carrying out general secretariat duties is needed as an effort to maintain the integrity and solidity of the party's management.

The decision was made due to the occurrence of political anomaly dynamics in the implementation of the 2024 elections in Central Java specifically. As a result, the implementation of the guided electoral victory policy based on mutual cooperation in Central Java has not been effective.

The results of the observation and evaluation of the implementation of the regulations concerning the 2024 election campaign in Central Java at all levels did not yield significant results. Similarly, there was a defeat for the presidential candidate supported by PDI-P in Central Java. "We will see the follow-up from the Central Java DPD PDI-P," said Ganjar.

Researchers at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Wasisto Raharjo Jati, assess that Hasto's presence in carrying out the duties of the general secretariat is necessary as an effort to maintain the integrity and solidarity of the party management. The integrity of the management is crucial at least until the formation of a new management at the upcoming congress. Moreover, Hasto's position is very important in preparing various technical and administrative matters ahead of the congress.

Although Hasto is confirmed to be unable to handle all the duties of the secretariat due to being in detention, there are many limitations in carrying out the daily tasks of the party as he cannot follow developments regularly and directly as he could when he was free.

"Regardless of the quality of work produced, Hasto's continued active engagement in carrying out secretarial duties symbolically indicates that the management of PDI-P remains intact from the beginning until the completion of his assignment," said Wasisto.