Breaking News: PDIP‘s Hasto Kristiyanto Named Suspect in Corruption Case Involving KPU Komisioner
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The public has been taken aback by the designation of PDIP’s Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto as a suspect in a bribery case involving KPU Komisioner KPK Reschedules Examination Of Former KPU Commissioner Wahyu …”>Wahyu Setiawan. This case has been ongoing since 2020 but Hasto was only designated as a suspect on December 23, 2024. Amidst the stir caused by Hasto’s status as a suspect, rumors have emerged about external parties urging the case to be "wrapped up." Here’s a chronological breakdown of events:
Hasto’s Designation as a Suspect
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) initially planned to name Hasto as a suspect on December 19, 2024, during an expose meeting. However, this meeting failed to reach a decision due to the lack of a quorum. Two outgoing KPK chiefs, Nawawi Pomolango and Alexander Marwata, were absent, stating that the meeting was convened on short notice. They passed the decision to the new leadership.
KPK’s Swift Action
Upon assuming office on December 16, 2024, the new KPK leadership wasted no time. On December 20, they held an expose meeting that approved Hasto’s designation as a suspect, backed by new evidence such as WhatsApp conversations and voice recordings obtained from Hasto and his aide’s phones in June 2024. Two letters of duty were issued on December 23, 2024.
KPK’s Announcement and Hasto’s Response
KPK promptly held a press conference the following day, with KPK Chief Setyo Budiyanto stating that Hasto was suspected of obstructing, hindering, or sabotaging the investigation of Harun Masiku. KPK also gathered enough evidence regarding Hasto’s role in bribing Wahyu Setiawan to facilitate Harun Masiku’s appointment as a DPR member.
The news sparked commotion at PDIP’s Central Board of Directors office on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. Hasto, who was leading a meeting to discuss the party’s anniversary celebration and lawsuits related to gubernatorial elections, promptly ended the meeting and sought an audience with PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. "She only told me to keep track of the case’s developments," Hasto reported.
Hasto categorically denied the bribery allegations and defended Harun Masiku, stating that there was no benefit in bribing a KPU komisioner or hindering Harun’s arrest. Moreover, none of the apprehended suspects mentioned Hasto during their trials.
Hasto’s Ties to the Harun Masiku Case
Investigators had actually gathered evidence implicating Hasto in the Harun Masiku case following Wahyu Setiawan’s arrest at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on January 8, 2020. Wahyu was arrested for accepting a bribe, much of which was allegedly from Hasto.
The bribe was intended to facilitate Harun Masiku’s appointment as a replacement for Nazarudin Kiemas, who had passed away before taking office. Harun Masiku is currently also a suspect in the same case and remains at large.
After Wahyu’s arrest, investigators planned to apprehend Hasto and Harun in Jakarta. However, these plans were foiled when then-KPK Chair Firli Bahuri suddenly called a press conference, leaking Operational Transaction Team (OTT) details and giving Hasto and Harun a chance to flee. Several investigators who spoke to Tempo believe that Firli intentionally sabotaged the arrest plans.
Firli’s alleged interference continued as he refused to sign an official summon for Hasto as a witness and reshuffled the investigation team. In January 2020, the KPK leadership hesitated to designate Hasto as a suspect despite overwhelming evidence. Rumors circulated that Firli and other KPK leaders were intimidated by PDIP’s power, given that the party was a key supporter of President Joko Widodo’s administration.
Allegations of External Interference
Recently, there have been whispers of external interference in Hasto’s case. A former KPK leader confirmed that external parties had been pressing for a swift resolution, but he declined to reveal their identities. However, KPK spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto dismissed these allegations, stating that the investigation was not solely based on evidence from the four-year-old case but also on new leads and witnesses.
Wakil Ketua KPK at the time, Nurul Ghufron, admitted to internal debates during the expose meeting in 2020 but denied accusations that leaders blocked Hasto’s designation as a suspect. Hasto’s and Harun Masiku’s names continued to surface in subsequent meetings, and KPK made efforts to arrests Harun.
Tempo’s Contributing Journalists
Riky Ferdianto
Mohammad Khory Alfarizi
Fajar Pebrianto
Septia Ryanthie
Sultan Abdurrahman
To read more, visit Beking KPK Berani Menjerat Hasto Kristiyanto.
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Meta Description: PDIP’s Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto named suspect in corruption case involving KPU Komisioner Wahyu Setiawan. KPK announces designation, Hasto responds, and rumors swirl about external interference.
