Hasto Kristiyanto Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison, PDI-P Remains Solid

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P considers the 3.5-year prison sentence for PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto as part of an effort to disrupt the consolidation ahead of the PDI-P Congress scheduled to take place in early August 2025. Nevertheless, PDI-P is claimed to remain solid.

The Chairman of the DPP PDI-P, Djarot Saiful Hidayat, stated that his party respects the judge's decision, but from the beginning, the party has assessed that the case involving Hasto is not purely a legal matter. He referred to it as a form of political judiciary that has emerged alongside PDI-P's critical stance towards the government.

"Of course, we must respect this, but once again, this is actually a political event, a political trial, because it originated from a political incident," said Djarot when met after the verdict hearing of Hasto at the Central Jakarta District Court, Friday (25/7/2025).

Hasto was found guilty in the case of bribery related to the interim replacement of a member of the DPR for Harun Masiku, with the verdict read by the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court this afternoon. Hasto was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.

However, according to Djarot, there is no evidence that Hasto provided bribe money to former Commissioner of the General Election Commission (KPU) Wahyu Setiawan. Meanwhile, the main perpetrators in the bribery case have been legally processed for a long time.

"If the issue is Harun Masiku, then just arrest Harun Masiku. Do not let the Secretary-General be made a scapegoat or a sacrifice," said Djarot.

The PDI-P believes that the criminal charges against Hasto directly impact the party's solidarity ahead of the congress. As the secretary general, Hasto is referred to as the "heart of the party," which has been the main driving force behind organizational consolidation.

"As soon as the Secretary General is subjected to legal action like this, automatically the party cannot function optimally. If this is a process to create chaos, then we truly feel it," said Djarot.

Nevertheless, according to Djarot, the PDI-P remains solid in facing pressure. The Chairperson of PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, continues to uphold Hasto as the Secretary-General and has not appointed an acting official. Furthermore, at the end of July 2025, all members of the DPR and regional legislative councils across Indonesia will be gathered in Bali for technical guidance. This meeting is part of the internal consolidation process of the legislative pillar.

"The party continues to operate dynamically, directly under the command of the chairman. Therefore, those who wish to disrupt it will surely be disappointed. Because we are becoming increasingly solid," he stated.

Based on information obtained by Kompas, all members of the district/city DPRD, provincial DPRD, and DPR members from the PDI-P are scheduled to attend technical guidance in Bali starting July 29, 2025. The 6th PDI-P Congress is scheduled to take place afterward, around early August 2025. One of the main agendas is to ask Megawati to return to her position as general chairperson.

Attempts to thwart party consolidation

Meanwhile, Hasto stated that he accepted the 3.5 year prison sentence from the panel of judges in the Harun Masiku PAW bribery case.

However, he emphasized that the acceptance of the judge's verdict is not an admission of guilt, but rather a stance against what he perceives as an injustice and a form of the use of law as a tool of power.

"I accept this in the context that it is an injustice. The theme of seeking justice will always be relevant," said Hasto after the hearing.

Hasto stated that he had anticipated the verdict since April. He admitted to receiving information that the decision would fall within the range of 3.5 to 4 years.

According to him, this case cannot be separated from the political agenda leading up to the PDI-P Congress. Hasto acknowledged that the legal process against him is related to efforts to disrupt the party's consolidation. "Moreover, this is also related to the agenda of party consolidation. From the beginning, it has been stated that there are those who want to interfere with the PDI Perjuangan Congress, wanting to 'disturb' the congress," he said.