Breaking: KPK Names PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto as Suspect in PAW Harun Masiku Vote-Buying Scandal
In a major development, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially named Secretary General of the PDIP, Hasto Kristiyanto, as a suspect in the vote-buying case involving the parliamentary seat (PAW) of Harun Masiku.
KPK Chairman, Setyo Budiyanto, detailed Hasto’s crucial role in the scam during a press conference at the KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday (24/2/2024). "Hasto, along with Harun Masiku and their accomplices, gave bribes to Wahyu Setiawan and Agus Setiani. First, Hasto placed Harun Masiku on the PDIP electoral list for South Sumatra, despite him originating from South Sulawesi’s Toraja region," Setyo explained.
During the 2019 legislative elections, Harun Masiku received 5,878 votes, significantly fewer than fellow PDIP candidate Rizky Aprilia, who garnered 44,402 votes. In that scenario, Rizky was expected to replace the late PDIP legislator Nazarudin Kiemas.
KPK alleges that Hasto actively worked to obstruct Rizky’s election as a PDIP legislator. He took several steps to prevent Nazarudin’s seat from being filled by Rizky, attempting to replace her with Harun Masiku.
"Hasto parallely tried to convince Rizky to step down, allowing Harun to take her place. However, Rizky refused," Setyo clarified.
The commission also found evidence suggesting Hasto asked Saeful Bahri to meet Rizky in Singapore to convince her to resign. This effort, too, proved unsuccessful.
Unable to secure Rizky’s resignation, Hasto reportedly resorted to bribery, offering money to then-KPU Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan.
"Hasto worked with Harun Masiku, Saeful Bahri, and DTI in bribing Wahyu Setiawan and Agustinus Tiu," Setyo concluded.
(ygs/dhn)
