Hasto Suspect in Harun Masiku Bribery Case, Is It True That Someone Wants to Mess Up PDI-P?

What happened after the KPK announced Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect?

After announcing Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect in a bribery and obstruction of investigation case, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has barred the Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) from traveling abroad. Not only that, the KPK has also barred former Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly from traveling abroad. Yasonna was previously questioned as a witness regarding Harun Masiku's immigration records.

"The travel ban to go abroad was imposed by investigators because the presence of the individual in Indonesia is needed for the investigation process of the alleged corruption crime," said KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto, Wednesday (25/12/2024).

The travel ban abroad is related to the investigation of bribery involving Wahyu Setiawan, a member of the KPU for the 2017-2022 period, concerning the interim replacement (PAW) of elected DPR members for the 2019-2024 period. This case also involves Harun Masiku, who is still at large.

How did Hasto Kristiyanto respond after being announced as a suspect?

Hasto Kristiyanto finally spoke up, two days after the KPK announced his status as a suspect in bribery and obstruction of investigation. The Secretary General of PDI-P considers what he is experiencing now as a risk that must be faced when criticizing the decline of democracy. Hasto even considers going to prison as part of the sacrifice and ideals.

Hasto emphasized that the risk does not stop his steps. He continues to voice how democracy must be upheld, how the people's voice cannot be silenced, how the rule of law cannot be extinguished, and how the authoritarian power that oppresses its own people must be stopped.

How did PDI-P respond?

The elite of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle are increasingly convinced of the truth of the information regarding parties that want to disrupt the party symbolized by the bull's head. This conviction has grown stronger after the Corruption Eradication Commission named Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect in a bribery case and obstruction of investigation related to the appointment of elected members of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period.

Is it true that someone wants to disrupt the PDI-P?

Two weeks before the news of Hasto Kristiyanto's designation as a suspect spread widely, the Chairperson of PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, had already conveyed the existence of parties suspected of wanting to disrupt the VI Congress of PDI-P. Megawati also challenged those who wanted to disrupt the PDI-P Congress. According to her, PDI-P will not be easily disrupted.

"I did it on purpose, so that it would be heard. You have tried to mess with my party," said Megawati while delivering the keynote speech at the "Book Launch and Discussion: 2024 Presidential Election Between Law, Ethics, and Psychological Considerations" in Jakarta, Thursday (12/12/2024).

Who is the party suspected of wanting to disrupt the PDI-P?

There are efforts to undermine PDI-P, as stated by Hasto Kristiyanto in his first statement after being named a suspect by the KPK. Hasto did not detail the efforts to undermine PDI-P that he referred to. However, he did mention the emergence of various intimidations when PDI-P was about to dismiss several cadres. According to him, there are parties who intimidate PDI-P to prevent the dismissal of individuals with power ambitions from PDI-P.

Again, Hasto did not mention who the ambitious figure was. He only said that the figure had tried to violate the constitution by proposing an extension of the term of office to three terms. However, at that time, PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri insisted on not following the proposal in order to maintain the constitution and democracy.

"When various intimidations arise to prevent the dismissal of individuals with ambitions for power, to the extent that the constitution seems to be violated with the extension of the term to three periods, then for the sake of the constitution, Ibu Mega stands firm in safeguarding democracy," said Hasto.

Is it true that there was politicization in determining Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect?

The KPK dismissed the PDI-P's assumption that the case was a politicization of the law. KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto emphasized that the KPK was purely enforcing the law.

Setyo said that the investigation warrant number Sprin.Dik/153/DIK.00/01/12/2024 dated December 23, 2024 issued by the KPK was the result of the development of the investigation that had been ongoing since 2019. The KPK has only named a suspect now because there is sufficient evidence.

In addition, the continuation of the bribery case related to Harun Masiku is part of the handover memory from the old KPK leadership. "So, actually we just have to continue. So far, we, the leadership, have had no information, input, and so on related to the PDI-P congress or anything like that," said Setyo.