Refusing to Admit Bribery, Hasto Kristiyanto Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Hasto Kristiyanto, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison and fined Rp 600 million, with a subsidiary of 6 months in confinement. The prosecutor deemed Hasto guilty of jointly committing corruption and obstructing the investigation into the bribery case concerning the appointment of Harun Masiku as a member of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period, replacing Nazaruddin Kiemas. However, during the trial, Hasto refused to acknowledge his actions.

"We, the public prosecutors, demand that the panel of judges declare the defendant Hasto Kristiyanto has been proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing corruption, as well as preventing or obstructing directly or indirectly the investigation of corruption cases and committing corruption," said the prosecutor during the continuation of the case regarding the alleged corruption and obstruction of investigation related to the fugitive Harun Masiku at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Wednesday (3/7/2025).

In addition to imprisonment and fines, the prosecutor also demanded that the period of detention already served by Hasto be deducted from the sentence that will be imposed by the judge. Furthermore, the prosecutor requested the judge to order that the defendant remain in custody and to impose court costs amounting to Rp7,500. This is in accordance with Article 21 and Article 5 paragraph 1 letter a of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes.

One of the considerations for the prosecutor to charge Hasto with a prison sentence of 7 years and a fine of Rp 600 million, with a subsidiary of 6 months in detention, is because the defendant in the bribery and obstruction of investigation case related to Harun Masiku does not acknowledge his actions. "The defendant refuses to admit his actions," said the prosecutor at the KPK, Wawan Yunarwanto.

Not only that, Hasto's actions were also considered not to support the government's efforts to eradicate corruption.

As mitigating factors, the prosecutor considered that the defendant behaved respectfully during the trial, has family responsibilities, and has no prior convictions.

The defendant refused to admit his actions

In his explanation, the prosecutor stated that Hasto, along with former secretariat staff at PDI-P, Saeful Bahri and Donny Tri Istiqomah, as well as Harun Masiku, provided a sum of money to Wahyu Setiawan, who at that time was a member of the General Election Commission, and Agustiani Tio, who was then a member of the Election Supervisory Body.

A total amount of 57,350 Singapore dollars, equivalent to 600 million rupiah, was provided to facilitate Harun Masiku's entry as a member of the DPR through the PAW mechanism. "The purpose of providing this operational fund is to encourage the KPU to accommodate the request letter from the DPP PDI-P to carry out the replacement of Riezky Apriliake with Harun Masiku," said the prosecutor.

Harun Masiku is a candidate for the House of Representatives for the 2019-2024 term, proposed to occupy a parliamentary seat from the electoral district of South Sumatra I. Based on the results of the ballot counting, Harun Masiku only secured the sixth highest number of votes among the candidates from PDI-P. The one seat in the House of Representatives won by PDI-P in the South Sumatra I electoral district belongs to Nazarudin Kiemas, who received the highest number of votes.

Nazarudin passed away before the 2019 elections were held. The General Election Commission then determined that the rightful member of the DPR from PDI-P was Riezky Aprilia, as she was the second-highest vote recipient in the election. Although Riezky Aprilia has been inaugurated, there are efforts to replace her position with Harun Masiku.

The public prosecutor revealed that Hasto played an active role in the management of the interim replacement (PAW) of Harun Masiku. This effort was made by the defendant by calling and asking Riezky to resign from his position as a member of the DPR. To Riezky, Hasto also stated that he would withhold the inauguration invitation until Riezky was willing to resign. However, Riezky rejected Hasto's request and proceeded with the inauguration.

Until two months after Riezky was inaugurated as a member of the DPR, the defendant continued to make several efforts to ensure that Harun Masiku became a member of the DPR. Hasto was also mentioned as directing Saeful Bahri and Donny Tri Istiqomah to implement the party's decision regarding the replacement of Riezky Aprilia with Harun Masiku.

During the trial, it was revealed that there was intense communication between Hasto, Saeful Bahri, and Donny, including reports related to the receipt and distribution of operational funds for the KPU totaling 57,350 Singapore dollars or equivalent to 600 million. The money was given so that Wahyu Setiawan would accommodate the request letter from the DPP PDIP regarding the PAW of the member of the DPR from the electoral district of South Sumatra I, transferring from Riezky Aprilia to Harun Masiku.

"The defendant is seeking for the KPU to accommodate the request letter for the implementation of the Supreme Court's fatwa regarding the interim replacement, on behalf of Riezky Aprilia to Harun Masiku," said the prosecutor.

"Although the defendant denied giving direct orders to Saeful Bahri and Donny, the Public Prosecutor assessed that the denial was inconsistent with the legal facts revealed in the trial," said the prosecutor.

In addition to corruption, Hasto is also considered to have obstructed the investigation of the bribery case involving Harun Masiku. The prosecutor believes that Hasto has protected Harun Masiku. This was partly done by asking Harun Masiku to submerge his mobile phone in water to avoid the investigation.

"The defendant was fully aware that Harun Masiku was a suspect being sought by the KPK. However, the defendant desired that the investigation not proceed smoothly," said the prosecutor.

After the prosecutor finished reading the charges, Chief Judge Rios Rahmanto offered the opportunity to the defendant Hasto and his legal counsel to make a defense. "Thus, this is the demand from the public prosecutor. Regarding this demand, the defendant has the right to submit a plea. Will you present a plea?" said the judge.

In response to the demands, Hasto's side stated that they would present a plea. "Indeed, we request time to submit our defense," said Maqdir Ismail, the legal representative of Hasto Kristiyanto. The panel then deliberated and scheduled the next court session for Thursday, July 10, 2025.