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Hunting Hasto: Latest Opposition Figure Jailed in Widely Viewed Political Trial

“..long perceived the charges against Hasto as politically driven..”

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Indonesia Court Convicts Megawati Aide In Blow to Opposition, Bloomberg

From Bloomberg, By Chandra Asmara with assistance from Eko Listiyorini, July 25, 2025

An Indonesian court convicted senior aide to former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Hasto Kristiyanto, in a corruption case, dealing a blow to the leadership of the nation’s main opposition party.

The Central Jakarta District Court on Friday found Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary general of Megawati’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), guilty of bribing a former election commission official in 2019 to facilitate the replacement of a member of parliament.

Sentenced to three and half years prison

Hasto was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined 250 million rupiah ($15,319). The court acquitted him of a separate charge of obstructing a corruption investigation into a fugitive linked to the party.

Both parties have seven days to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence.

Judicial independence concerns

The case has revived longstanding concerns about judicial independence […], particularly as other opposition-linked figures come under legal scrutiny. Last week, a vocal government critic and former trade minister was convicted in a graft case related to sugar imports.

Politicizing the the law

Hasto has consistently denied wrongdoing. He said Friday that his verdict was similar to what the former minister had experienced, “where the law becomes a tool of power.”

Prosecutors previously have denied any ulterior motive in the case.

Opposition party at a crossroad

The ruling represents a setback for PDI-P, the largest party in parliament and the sole major party outside the ruling coalition of [former army general] President Prabowo Subianto. The imprisonment of a senior official could diminish the party’s parliamentary influence, and prompt internal debates over whether to continue its relatively non-adversarial stance or emerge as a stronger opposition force.

Political motivated charges

Political analysts have long perceived the charges against Hasto as politically driven, in part because they stemmed from events dating back years and because of the timing of a falling-out with former President Joko Widodo. The case originated late last year after PDI-P formally ended its alliance with Widodo for endorsing Prabowo rather than PDI-P’s own candidate in Indonesia’s presidential election.

Threatened with prosecution

In court, Hasto had claimed he was threatened with arrest if his party went ahead with expelling Widodo.

The former president has denied any involvement in the alleged threat, telling reporters in March that there would be no point in threatening someone not to expel him. “What would I gain? What would I lose?” he said, according to local media outlet Detik News.

Latest opposition figure imprisoned

The latest verdict comes a week after Thomas Trikasih Lembong, the former trade minister and a vocal critic of both Widodo and Prabowo in recent years, was found guilty in a case related to sugar imports a decade ago. Both Lembong and prosecutors this week filed appeals in the case.

Based on Bloomberg.

In earlier news…

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.

Weaponizing the Law

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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One response to “Hunting Hasto: Latest Opposition Figure Jailed in Widely Viewed Political Trial”

  1. Op-Ed: Like Those Shoes Never Bought, Reason for Pardon Will Never Be Explained, Suara Merdeka – Stories From Indonesia Avatar
    Op-Ed: Like Those Shoes Never Bought, Reason for Pardon Will Never Be Explained, Suara Merdeka – Stories From Indonesia

    […] In recent days Indonesia’s digital public space has been abuzz with discussion of President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to grant abolition (or clemency) to jailed former opposition presidential campaign head, Tom Lembong, and amnesty to jailed Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle secretary-general, Hasto Kristiyanto. […]

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