KPK Wiretap Recordings Mention "Mother's Orders" in Harun Masiku Case

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The public prosecutor of the Corruption Eradication Commission played a recorded phone conversation between former member of the Election Supervisory Board Agustiani Tio Fridelina and former cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Saeful Bahri. In the phone recording, there is a statement of "the mother's order" conveyed by Saeful to Tio.

The phone recording was played while Tio was testifying in the trial of the alleged bribery case regarding the interim replacement (PAW) of Harun Masiku and obstruction of investigation with the defendant Hasto Kristiyanto, at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (24/4/2025).

As is known, Harun Masiku was intended to replace Riezky Aprilia as a member of the DPR for the 2019-2024 term. Tio and Saeful are both former convicts in the bribery case involving Harun Masiku's replacement.

Before playing the phone recording, the prosecutor presented a conversation via a messaging application between Tio and Saeful on December 18, 2019. In the conversation, there was a request from someone named MHK to expedite Harun Masiku's entry into the DPR. The prosecutor then asked Tio about the identity of MHK. Tio explained to the prosecutor that MHK was the term Saeful used for Hasto.

The conversation between Tio and Saeful continued over the phone the following day. In the audio recording played by the prosecutor, it was revealed that on December 19, 2019, Saeful sent Agustiani a legal study regarding the legal status of Harun Masiku.

The study is planned to be used as a basis to lobby relevant parties to facilitate Harun Masiku's entry into the DPR. To Agustiani, Saeful stated that there was a directive from 'Mother' behind this request. However, he did not explain who the figure of 'Mother' referred to.

"Earlier, Mr. Hasto called again and told Wahyu, 'This is my guarantee, this is an order from the mother. How can we make this happen,'" said Saeful, as heard in the recording played by the prosecutor.

The recording also reveals an attempt to steer the understanding of the law in favor of Harun Masiku. "We steer the interpretation of the law, that our interpretation is correct. That's what we instill in stakeholders. It has to be on the same frequency," said Saeful, as heard in the audio recording.

After playing the audio recording, the public prosecutor asked, "Did Saeful send this (legal study) on December 19?" The public prosecutor inquired. "Yes," Tio replied.

He then explained that the legal study was prepared ahead of the plenary meeting of the General Election Commission (KPU). "The next day, before the plenary, I was asked to meet Donny to present the legal findings," Tio stated.

In this case, Hasto was charged with bribing former member of the General Election Commission (KPU) Wahyu Setiawan through Tio. The purpose of the money was to ensure that Wahyu would facilitate the appointment of Harun Masiku as a selected member of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period through the mechanism of interim replacement (PAW).

Hasto Kristiyanto is also suspected of obstructing the investigation by instructing Harun Masiku, through the guard of the Nur Hasan Aspirations House, to submerge Harun's mobile phone in water.

The incident occurred following the hand-catching operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against KPU member 2017–2022 Wahyu Setiawan. Not only Harun Masiku's mobile phone, but Hasto was also reported to have instructed his aide, Kusnadi, to submerge the phone as a precaution against coercive actions by KPK investigators.

Thus, Hasto is threatened with criminal charges as regulated in Article 21 and Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph (1) and Article 55 paragraph (1) number 1 in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

Before the session began, Chief Judge Rios Rahmanto requested journalists not to broadcast the witness examination session live. The judge also asked attendees not to record the proceedings.

Considering the courtroom was already full, security personnel stood guard at the door and requested that no visitors enter. However, an individual claiming to be a representative of 'civil society' made a concerted effort to push into the courtroom.

The individual's efforts then provoked the anger of other visitors. His attempt to enter the courtroom was thwarted by supporters of Hasto and PDI-P who were outside the courtroom.

According to a supporter of the defendant, the actions taken by an individual claiming to be a civil society member were an attempt at provocation. "The room is full. Why force your way in? What is your purpose?" said one of Hasto's supporters. Security personnel and police attempted to mediate the situation.

As soon as the hearing was adjourned by the panel of judges, chaos erupted again between supporters of Hasto Kristiyanto and PDI-P, who were dressed in all black, and a group of youths wearing white shirts with the words Save KPK. The commotion occurred in the lobby of the Jakarta Corruption Court. However, security personnel and police attempted to calm the crowd. Subsequently, the crowd was escorted out of the Central Jakarta District Court building.