Headline: Former PDIP Member Defends Jokowi: ‘He Helped Hasto, Not Interfered’ as KPK Indicts PDIP Secretary-General
Article:
In a surprising turn of events, former PDIP cadre Effendi Simbolon has come to the defense of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), stating that he believes there’s no involvement of the latter in the legal troubles faced by PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto. Instead, Effendi asserted that Jokowi actually provided assistance to Hasto during his tenure as president.
Effendi, speaking at an event held at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/1/2025), was initially asked about the alleged politicization of the case involving Hasto. However, he chose to bring Jokowi into the conversation, stating, "No, to my knowledge, in fact, Mr. Jokowi has helped him, as far as I know."
Hasto’s status as a suspect was recently announced by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) during the tenure of the new leadership, a period in which Jokowi is no longer serving as president. The announcement was made by KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto on December 24, 2024.
Effendi pointed out that Hasto’s status as a suspect only emerged during the new leadership’s period, suggesting that the previous leadership had not pursued the case. "The proof is, until the period of the previous leadership, there was no such thing. This is a new period," Effendi explained.
When pressed again about Jokowi’s role in protecting Hasto, Effendi only spoke about the attention the former president had given to the PDIP secretary-general. "It means that he, politically, has actually given attention, there has never been anything like what is being accused," Effendi said.
Effendi also revealed that he had personally informed Hasto about Jokowi’s support. "I also told Mr. Hasto, ‘Mr., to my knowledge, Mr. Jokowi is the one who is helping you.’ ‘Oh, no, this is…’," Effendi recounted.
Expressing concern over the legal troubles faced by PDIP, Effendi suggested that PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri should also bear responsibility. He argued that, according to the Law on Political Parties, the party’s leadership should be held accountable to the public.
"Because this is fatal, all leadership should also resign. The party is not owned by an individual, it is regulated by the Law on Political Parties, so it should also be accountable to the public," Effendi said.
Hasto Kristiyanto, the current PDIP secretary-general, is currently a suspect in the KPK’s investigation into the alleged bribery of the time extension for the position of Harun Masiku, a former election official. He is also a suspect in the obstruction of justice case, allegedly instructing his phone and Harun Masiku’s phone to be submerged and ordering Harun Masiku to flee.
Read more about Jokowi’s involvement in the aftermath of Hasto’s indictment on the next page.
