PDIP‘s 2024 Kaleidoscope: A Year of Political Shifts and Scandals
The year 2024, dubbed the "year of politics," has been marked by significant political events in Indonesia. Tempo has compiled some of the most pivotal moments in a series called "Kaleidoscope 2024."
The Ousting of Jokowi and PDIP’s Internal Strife
In December 2024, the spotlight was on the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), with the party ousting its most prominent figure, President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, along with his son and current Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and former Medan Mayor, Bobby Nasution. The party’s decision was not without controversy, as it followed a corruption scandal involving PDIP’s Secretary General, Hasto Kristiyanto.
PDIP’s Executive Deputy Secretary for Victory in General Elections, Deddy Yevri Sitorus, revealed that the decision to expel Jokowi and his allies was a result of internal party evaluations. However, the move was not isolated, as the party also ousted 27 other members, including prominent figures like Effendi Simbolon and John Wempi Wetipo.
Deddy explained that the party’s focus on local elections (Pilkada) and the need to consolidate its regional powerbase delayed the announcement of Jokowi’s expulsion. "We wanted to concentrate our efforts on ensuring our candidates’ victories in the Pilkada," Deddy said in a statement on December 16, 2024.
Jokowi’s Response and the Aftermath
Jokowi, in a statement from his residence in Solo, Central Java, on December 17, 2024, acknowledged PDIP’s decision, expressing respect for the party’s leadership under Megawati Soekarnoputri. However, he hinted at a potential future challenge to the party’s actions, stating that "time will tell" if the decision was justified.
PDIP’s decision to expel Jokowi was formalized through a letter of dismissal, numbered 1649/KPTS/DPP/XII/2024, which cited his violation of party rules as the primary reason for his expulsion.
The Hasto Corruption Scandal
The Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) named Hasto as a suspect in a corruption case involving Harun Masiku. The KPK issued a Letter of Criminal Investigation (Sprindik) against Hasto, signaling the start of a formal investigation into his alleged involvement in the case.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto announced Hasto’s status as a suspect on December 24, 2024, along with another suspect, Donny Tri Istiqomah. The KPK alleges that Hasto orchestrated and supervised Donny’s actions in facilitating the bribery of KPU Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan.
Hasto, in response to his designation as a suspect, expressed respect for the KPK’s decision. He maintained that PDIP is a party that upholds the law and respects the rule of law. However, he also hinted at broader concerns about democracy, the rule of law, and the potential for authoritarian overreach.
As the political landscape in Indonesia continues to shift, the events of 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the challenges and controversies that lie ahead. With local elections and the potential for further political upheaval on the horizon, Indonesia’s political scene remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever.
