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PDI Perjuangan Defends Former Sekjen Hasto Kristiyanto Amidst Corruption Case

In a recent turn of events, Jokowi's Stance on the 12% PPN Tax Bill"</strong></p>”>Guntur Romli, the Spokesperson (Jubir) of PDI Perjuangan, has come out in support of former Sekjen PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto, who has been named a suspect in a corruption case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Romli dismissed suggestions that Hasto’s mention of the three-period debate while facing corruption allegations was a panicked move, instead attributing it to the influence of the current presidential administration.

"Using the Javanese phrase ‘nabok nilih tangan,’ Hasto was accused using someone else’s hand. The leadership of KPK today was selected and chosen during whose era? The high-ranking officials, especially the enforcers of the law, who chose and appointed them? The influence of Jokowi is still very strong," Romli stated on Friday (27/12/2024).

Hasto, following his nomination as a suspect, has recently been in the spotlight for touching on the three-period debate, suggesting that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) indeed aims for a third consecutive term. Romli, however, believes that the current administration still bears the influence of the previous Jokowi era.

"Presidents change, but ‘Jokowi’s people’ remain in power. Hasto possesses a number of videos relevant to the three-period issue and plans to release them," Romli added.

Interestingly, Hasto is also alleged to have video evidence of significant impact, including claims of orchestrated attempts to criminalize former DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Guntur expects these revelations to cause a magnitude of scandal comparable to the Watergate case in the United States.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Jokowi Mania (Joman), Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), responded to Hasto’s previous statements regarding the three-period debate. Noel believes Hasto’s comments were a result of panic following his nomination as a suspect.

"The issue of a third period is over, and we’ve already made it clear that we reject the idea. It’s not just Hasto; we’re all against it," Noel told reporters. "Hasto’s comments might have been caused by panic because he suddenly became a suspect."

Noel also emphasized that the election has already taken place, making the issue of a third term irrelevant. Moreover, President Joko Widodo has reportedly distanced himself from the three-period notion, attributing such claims to political groups seeking attention.