TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto on Thursday, February 20, 2025. "As conveyed by the spokesperson, I will now announce the detention of HK," stated KPK Chairperson Setyo Budiyanto on Thursday afternoon, February 20, 2025.
Following the KPK procedure, Hasto was presented at a press conference. Upon being called by the media, Hasto, wearing the orange vest typical of KPK detainees, displayed his handcuffed hands. He was then transferred to the Class 1 Detention Center in East Jakarta, where he will be held for the next 20 days.
Hasto Kristiyanto was named a suspect in a bribery case involving KPK fugitive Harun Masiku and former KPU Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan. This determination was based on a letter numbered Sprin.Dik/153/DIK.00/01/12/2024, dated December 23, 2024. Hasto's alleged involvement in the Harun Masiku case was previously detailed in the January 11, 2020 edition of Majalah Tempo, titled "Di Bawah Lindungan Tirtayasa".
The origin of this case stems from Hasto's directive to the party's legal team, empowering Donny Tri Istiqomah to file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court in June 2019. They challenged the validity of Article 54 of the General Election Commission Regulation No. 3 of 2019, which addressed voting and vote counting in the context of the death of a legislative candidate from the South Sumatra I electoral district, Nazaruddin Kiemas.
The Supreme Court partially granted the judicial review of Article 54. The core of the decision was that the court transferred the votes of the deceased legislative candidate to the party. In return for securing this favorable ruling, Harun allegedly gave Donny Rp100 million.
Subsequently, PDIP convened a plenary meeting and selected Harun Masiku as Nazaruddin Kiemas' replacement. However, Harun had originally placed fifth in the election. The second-place candidate, Riezky Aprilia, was the rightful successor to the late Nazaruddin's parliamentary seat.
The KPU held a plenary meeting on August 31 to determine the elected legislative candidates for the 2019-2024 term. Contrary to PDIP's recommendation of Harun, the KPU declared that Riezky was entitled to the parliamentary seat.
PDIP disagreed with the KPU's decision and once again sought a Supreme Court ruling. On September 23, the party sent another letter to the KPU asserting that political parties had the prerogative to determine deceased legislative candidates. "We received three letters from PDIP," confirmed KPU Chair Arief Budiman, as reported by Majalah Tempo.
Still according to Majalah Tempo, beyond official correspondence, Hasto allegedly instructed his staff member, Saeful Bahri, to engage in lobbying efforts with the KPU. Saeful contacted Wahyu Setiawan's confidante, Agustiani Tio Fridelina Sitorus, a former member of the Election Supervisory Body.
Saeful forwarded the legislative candidate determination document and the Supreme Court ruling to Tio, who then shared it with Wahyu via WhatsApp to facilitate Harun's appointment. Wahyu responded to Tio's message with "ready to play."
Later, Wahyu requested a reward of Rp900 million for operational expenses. "Saeful told Hasto that he needed Rp1.5 billion to lobby the KPU," revealed a law enforcement source familiar with the case.
Hasto is also alleged to have been aware of Tio's request to Saeful for an advance payment for lobbying. "Hasto said he was ready to provide funds. Harun will also provide funds because he is an interested legislative candidate," stated three law enforcement sources who were familiar with this process.
Subsequently, one of Hasto's aides delivered Rp400 million to Donny in a PDIP's Central Executive Board (DPP) room on December 16, 2019. The aide stated, "Mas, this is an order from the Secretary-General for Saeful Bahri's operations."
Hasto has denied any involvement in this case, claiming that the information linking him to the sting operation against Wahyu et al. was fabricated. "This news shows that there are various interests to create a framing," Hasto asserted at the PDIP National Working Meeting I at Jiexpo Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Friday, January 10, 2020.
Based on these findings, the KPK planned to seal a room at the PDIP DPP, but this attempt was unsuccessful due to PDIP's refusal to grant permission.
The KPK officially named Hasto as a suspect on December 24, 2024. Hasto and Harun are accused of bribing KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan to ensure Harun's appointment as the replacement for Nazarudin Kiemas, a deceased PDIP legislative candidate.
In this case, six individuals have been named suspects: Hasto, Harun, Wahyu, former Bawaslu member Agustiani Tio Fridelina, PDIP cadre Saeful Bahri, and PDIP advocate Donny Tri Istiqomah. Among them, Wahyu, Saeful, and Agustiani have been convicted and completed their sentences. Donny was named a suspect alongside Hasto.
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