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KPK grills senior PDI-P politician Hasto for five hours over alleged bribery case
Hasto said that he was asked 24 questions during the five-hour session, including a question regarding his relationship with the main suspect in the case, Harun Masiku, who has been declared a fugitive by the antigraft body.
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Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Hasto Kristiyanto leaves the Corruption Eradication Commission office on Jan. 24 after being questioned as a witness in an alleged bribery case. (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday questioned the secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto over an alleged bribery case that has implicated some of the party’s members.
Hasto arrived at the KPK headquarters at around 10 a.m. and left the building at 3:05 p.m. In between, the antigraft body grilled Hasto as a witness in the case.
“I promised that I would attend the KPK’s questioning if necessary. And now, I have kept my word, as it is my responsibility as an Indonesian citizen to respect all law enforcement activities,” Hasto told reporters after the session.
Hasto said that he was asked 24 questions during the five-hour session, including a question regarding his relationship with the main suspect in the case, Harun Masiku, who has been declared a fugitive by the antigraft body.
Hasto said he only knew Harun as one of the smartest members of the party, considering that Harun had received a Chevening scholarship from the government of the United Kingdom and is one of the few experts on international economic law in Indonesia.
“Harun has such a good track record as a law expert, there are few Indonesians who have similar accomplishments,” Hasto said. “But still, I don’t know where he is right now,” he added.
Hasto encouraged Harun to turn himself in to the KPK, saying that Harun should not be afraid because the PDI-P's legal team, which was established last week, had gathered significant evidence to prove that Harun was a victim in the case.
“According to a thorough study conducted by our legal team, Harun was a victim of the misuse of authority by another suspect. We have told our members not to commit any crimes, including bribery, if they want to be part of the party,” he said.
The case pertains to a dispute between the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the PDI-P over who should take over a legislative seat left vacant by deceased PDI-P politician Nazaruddin Kiemas in the South Sumatra I electoral district. The KPU gave the seat to Riezky Aprilia, who won the second highest number of votes in the April 17, 2019, legislative election with 44,402 votes. The PDI-P had requested the seat be given to Harun, even though he received only 5,878 votes and three other members of the PDI-P, besides Riezky, won more votes than him.
On Jan. 8, the KPK arrested KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan for allegedly accepting Rp 600 million (US$43,950) in bribes from Harun via PDI-P members Agustiani Tio Fridelina and Syaiful. The four suspects have been charged with bribery and, except for Harun who has been declared a fugitive, are now in KPK custody. (glh)
