KPK Names PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto as Suspect in Bribery Case
In a significant development, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, as a suspect in a bribery case. The development comes after the swearing-in of KPK’s new leadership headed by Chairman Muhammad Syafrudin earlier this month.
According to a detikcom source, the KPK’s Letter of Investigation (Sprindik) against Hasto, numbered Sprin.Dik/153/DIK.00/01/12/2024, was issued on December 23, 2024. Hasto’s designation as a suspect follows an exam on December 20, 2024.
Hasto is accused of bribing Wahyu Setiawan, a former commissioner of the General Elections Commission (KPU), in a bid to secure a seat in the People’s Representative Council (DPR) for PDIP candidate Harun Masiku through an interim period (PAW). Masiku, who is already a suspect in the same case, remains at large. Other suspects include Agustiani Tio, a trustee of Wahyu, and Saeful Bahri, a private citizen.
Wahyu and Agustiani have previously been sentenced to seven and four years in prison, respectively, while Saeful received an eight-month prison sentence. They were found to have received SGD 19,000 and 38,350 (around IDR 600 million) from Masiku through Saeful to facilitate his DPR appointment.
KPK has been trying to locate Masiku since August, and has also questioned Hasto regarding Masiku’s case earlier this year.
In a related development, PDIP spokesman Chico Hakim has accused political parties of attempting to disrupt and undermine PDIP’s influence. He contends that there is political interference in the legal process.
"KPK’s investigation against Hasto is evidence of political maneuvering to discredit PDIP. This isn’t the first instance of similar moves against other political parties," Chico told media outlets. He added that PDIP is steadfast in facing these challenges, viewing them as a source of energy and determination.
Hasto’s designation as a suspect remains a developing story, with PDIP yet to provide a formal response.
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