Hunting Hasto: Political Intrigue and Legal Battles in the Hasto Kristiyanto Case

Democracy, Hasto Kristiyanto, Indonesia, Indonesian Law, Joko Widodo, Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDI-P, Political Parties, Politics, Reformasi, Relationships, Rule of Law, Tempo

Hunting Hasto: Political Intrigue and Legal Battles in the Hasto Kristiyanto Case

“..Was the Presidential Palace Involved?..”

Editor

January 4, 2025

3–5 minutes

Corruption, Democracy, Elections, Hasto Kristiyanto, House of Representatives, Indonesia, Joko Widodo, KPK, Megawati, News, PDI-P, Pemilu, Pemilu 2019, Pemilu 2024, Police, Political Parties, Politics

Hunting Hasto: Political Intrigue and Legal Battles in the Hasto Kristiyanto Case

Based on Tempo Magazine, January 5, 2025

Political Fault Lines Emerge

The unfolding drama involving Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), marks a new chapter in Indonesia’s turbulent politics. Since 2019, when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) faced a controversial weakening of its authority, controversy about its independence has persisted. Now, under new leadership, the KPK has revived the long-dormant investigation into Kristiyanto’s alleged involvement in the Harun Masiku bribery case.

The timing of the charges—just after the PDI-P severed ties with former President Joko Widodo—has raised questions about political motives. Critics suggest that Kristiyanto’s indictment reflects more than a straightforward commitment to justice, pointing to deep-seated political rivalries within Indonesia’s ruling elite.

Influence and Evasion

The roots of the current case date to January 2020, when former national elections commission commissioner Wahyu Setiawan was arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to secure a legislative seat for Harun Masiku, a PDI-P election candidate. Investigators implicated Kristiyanto in orchestrating the scheme and later accused him of obstructing justice by aiding Masiku’s escape. However, KPK leaders at the time declined to approve Kristiyanto’s designation as a suspect, citing insufficient evidence despite mounting pressure from internal investigators.

Four years later, with a new KPK leadership under Commissioner-General Setyo Budiyanto, Kristiyanto has finally been named a suspect. According to Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Rudi Setiawan, fresh evidence, including digital communications and voice recordings, have strengthened the case against Kristiyanto.

Question of Political Retribution?

The announcement of Kristiyanto’s suspect status came just days after PDI-P expelled Widodo and his family from the party, a move rooted in accusations of betrayal in the lead up to and during the 2024 presidential and national legislative elections. Observers speculate whether the new KPK chair, a former police general with connections to Widodo’s allies, may have expedited the case as a show of loyalty. While KPK head Budiyanto insists the commission’s actions are evidence-based, PDI-P leaders, including its leading legal counsel Ronny Talapessy, denounce the prosecution as politically motivated.

“This is about criminalizing dissent,” said Talapessy, pointing to Kristiyanto’s recent history of criticizing Widodo’s government. He further noted that no new facts were presented during previous trials linking Kristiyanto to alleged bribery or obstruction of justice.

Strategic Defense

Kristiyanto has responded by positioning himself as a victim of political machinations. In a December 15, 2024, video filmed in Bali, he alleged that former president Widodo directed legal actions to suppress political opposition. The video is part of a broader arsenal of evidence Kristiyanto claims to hold—documents and recordings purportedly exposing corruption within Widodo’s inner circle. While Kristiyanto has yet to release these files publicly, his allies describe them as “political ammunition” for future battles.

Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, a trusted academic and strategist, confirmed holding copies of the files, adding, “The truth will come out when the time is right.”

Clash of Institutions

The revival of Kristiyanto’s case has reignited debates about KPK’s independence. Allegations have also been leveled that former KPK chairman Firli Bahuri, recently himself indicted over alleged corruption, intentionally sabotaged early investigations, soft balling the investigation to benefit Kristiyanto. Firli’s early announcement of the 2020 arrests allegedly allowed key suspects to flee, including Masiku, who remains at large.

Within PDI-P, concerns run deep. Komarudin Watubun, the chair of the party’s ethics board, described the case as a “weaponized distraction” to undermine the party’s upcoming congress in April 2025. The congress will likely decide the party’s future leadership amid fears of further legal assaults.

Drawing Threads Together

Institutional Integrity and Political Conflict

This issue of Tempo questions the impartiality of the KPK’s actions, referencing political retribution and internal interference as contributing factors. These elements imply that the case is about more than Kristiyanto’s personal guilt—touching on democratic processes and institutional trust.

Weaponization of Legal Processes

The publication frames Kristiyanto’s prosecution as a strategic move tied to elite political conflicts, with PDI-P leaders and commentators directly referencing fears of further legal action as political leverage against the party.

Political Influence on Law Enforcement

The articles in this issue of Tempo reference former President Joko Widodo’s lingering influence in the new government of President Prabowo Subianto, linking it to the case’s timing and revival, underscoring potential governance challenges.

This article is based on https://www.tempo.co/kolom/hasto-kristiyanto-kpk-harun-masiku-1189880; Beking KPK Berani Menjerat Hasto Kristiyanto; Bukti Apa yang Dipegang Hasto Kristiyanto; Membongkar Korupsi Jokowi; Hasto Kristiyanto: Kalau Saya Salah, Hukumannya Hanya Tujuh Menit; and Apa Bukti Baru yang Dimiliki KPK untuk Menjerat Hasto Kristiyanto

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