JAKARTA, indonesia – Hasto Kristiyanto, the secretary-general of Indonesia’s ruling PDI-P party, has been named a suspect in a bribery case by the corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), a development that has sparked debate among legal experts and observers.
The KPK’s proclamation, made on December 24, 2024, centers around allegations of bribery involving former Election Commission (KPU) official Wahyu Setiawan. While Setiawan has already served his sentence, the timing of Kristiyanto’s designation as a suspect has raised eyebrows.
Professor Hibnu Nugroho, a criminal law professor at Jenderal Soedirman University, offered a perspective on the KPK’s actions. “Maybe this is part of the KPK’s tactic to get data about Harun Masiku,” Nugroho stated, referring to a fugitive in a related case.”So by processing it now,we inevitably get information at the trial. We hope that this part of the disclosure will get information about where Harun Masiku is, whether he’s still alive or not.”
Nugroho further elaborated, “I think this is law enforcement with the dimension of exposing Harun masiku, as Harun Masiku hasn’t been found until now.” The professor also questioned the delay in bringing charges against Kristiyanto, noting the unusual timing given Setiawan’s completed sentence. “It is assumed that the giver is he (Hasto) the giver, along with that (Harun), well, this is indeed a law enforcer that is going on and on, when the giver has been terminated, the recipient should be, the question is why is it being done like this now,” he explained.
Nugroho urged the KPK to maintain professionalism throughout the investigation, emphasizing the importance of a thorough and timely resolution. He highlighted the typical correlation between prosecuting bribe givers and recipients. “the Corruption Eradication Commission’s steps must be professional, but this case has not yet expired, maybe 3 or 4 years as of the bribery offense, the briber and the recipient must be there.It’s unfeasible for the recipient to have already been punished when the briber was not. Who was the briber? Well, I think there should be details here, but ’We just have to emphasize why only now, why not before, in other cases it was directly the recipient cluster, and that was the giver cluster,” he concluded.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges in combating corruption in Indonesia and raises questions about the strategic considerations behind the KPK’s investigative approach. The implications of this case extend beyond Indonesia’s political landscape,highlighting the complexities of international anti-corruption efforts and the importance of transparency in legal proceedings.
Indonesian Official Charged in Major Election Bribery Scandal
Table of Contents
Hasto Kristiyanto, a prominent figure in Indonesian politics, is facing serious charges in connection with a wide-ranging bribery scandal linked to the 2019 legislative elections. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency, has charged Kristiyanto with multiple offenses, including bribery and obstruction of justice.
The KPK announced the charges against Kristiyanto on December 23, 2024, based on investigation warrants numbered Sprin.Dik/152/DIK.00/01/12/2024 and Sprin.dik/153/DIK.00/01/12/2024. He is accused under Article 5, paragraph (1), letter a or b, and Article 13 of the Indonesian Corruption Law. The obstruction of justice charge stems from alleged efforts to hinder the investigation into Harun Masiku, another key figure in the scandal.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto detailed Kristiyanto’s alleged role in the bribery scheme,stating, “The actions of brother HK [Hasto Kristiyanto] together with brother HM [Harun Masiku] and his friends in giving bribes to Wahyu setiawan and Agus Setiani. First, HK placed HM in electoral district 1 of South Sumatra even though HM came from South Sulawesi, to be precise from Toraja.”
The case centers around the attempt to secure a parliamentary seat for Masiku, who received a paltry 5,878 votes in the 2019 election – significantly fewer than fellow Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) candidate Rizky Aprilia, who garnered 44,402 votes. Aprilia was the rightful successor to the deceased PDI-P candidate Nazarudin Kiemas, but Kristiyanto allegedly worked to prevent this.
Budiyanto explained Kristiyanto’s alleged actions: “in parallel, brother HK tried to get sister Rizky to resign and be replaced by brother HM. Though, this effort was rejected by brother Rizky Aprilia.”
The implications of this case extend beyond Indonesia’s borders, highlighting the global challenge of combating corruption and ensuring fair and transparent elections.The charges against Kristiyanto underscore the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational corruption and holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within electoral systems worldwide and the need for robust mechanisms to prevent and prosecute election-related fraud and bribery.
Indonesian Election Bribery scandal Raises Questions About Timing of Charges
A prominent Indonesian politician faces bribery charges years after the alleged recipient already served his sentence.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Indonesia has charged Hasto Kristiyanto,the secretary-general of the ruling PDI-P party,with bribery in connection with a 2019 legislative election scandal. The timing of the charges against Kristiyanto, nearly five years after the alleged recipient already served his sentence, has triggered debate and raised questions about the KPK’s investigative strategies.
The KPK’s Tactic: Uncovering Harun Masiku
World Today News senior Editor, Sarah Jones, spoke with Professor Hibnu Nugroho, a criminal law expert from Jenderal Soedirman University, to gain further insight into this intricate case.
Sarah: Professor Nugroho, the KPK has officially named Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect in this bribery case. Given that the alleged recipient, former Election Commission official Wahyu Setiawan, has finished serving his sentence, what do you make of the timing of these charges?
Professor Nugroho: Well, Sarah, it’s possible the KPK is employing a tactic to finally unearth data about Harun Masiku, who is still a fugitive in a related case. By processing Kristiyanto’s case now, they hope to gain valuable information about Masiku’s whereabouts during the trial. It’s a means of potentially shedding light on his current status – whether he’s still even alive.
The Unusual Delay
Sarah: The delay in bringing charges against Kristiyanto seems highly unusual. Can you elaborate on this aspect?
Professor Nugroho: It’s indeed a peculiar situation. Typically, when a bribe giver is identified, the recipient would be investigated and charged concurrently.
The fact that the giver, Kristiyanto, is being prosecuted so much later raises questions. Why this delay? Why is this case unfolding in this unique way now?
Professionalism and Procedural Questions
Sarah: Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the KPK’s handling of this case?
professor Nugroho: It’s crucial for the KPK to proceed with utmost professionalism. This examination should be thorough, efficient, and lead to a timely resolution.
We need to remember that in bribery cases, both the giver and the recipient are typically held accountable.
It’s simply not feasible for the recipient to be punished, and the giver remained untouched. We need details on why only now—why not before?
This isn’t the first time the KPK has handled election-related bribery cases.
In previous instances, both parties were charged concurrently. why this deviation from established procedures in Kristiyanto’s case?
These are questions that deserve to be answered.
Implications for Indonesia’s Political Landscape
Sarah: professor Nugroho, thank you for sharing your expert insights. This case raises serious questions not only about the electoral process but also about the KPK’s investigative approach and the implications for Indonesia’s political landscape.
Professor Nugroho: Indeed, Sarah. This case underscores the complexities of battling corruption and ensuring a level playing field in Indonesian politics.
