KPK Detains PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia’s leading anti-corruption commission takes a firm stance today by detaining a prominent political figure, signaling the government’s commitment to enforcing transparency and accountability in public affairs. This action reflects heightened scrutiny of party officials and may influence the perception of fair law enforcement in the country.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), known locally as Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, announced the detention of Hasto Kristiyanto, the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). The KPK said Hasto was placed in custody on suspicion of bribery in arranging the replacement of a parliamentary member and for allegedly obstructing investigations.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated that Hasto would remain in detention for an initial period of 20 days. “For the purposes of investigation, we have detained suspect HK (Hasto Kristiyanto) for 20 days from Feb. 20, 2025, until Mar. 11, 2025,” Setyo said at a press conference at the Red and White Building, KPK’s headquarters in Jakarta. He added that Hasto would be held at the Jakarta Timur Class I detention facility.

Hasto underwent more than eight hours of questioning. Emerging around 6:09 p.m., he wore the KPK’s signature orange vest, with hands in handcuffs. Before stepping into the KPK lobby, he waved briefly, and moments later appeared at a press conference, allowing media to capture the scene.

The suspect was initially summoned on Thursday morning at around 9:52 a.m. for questioning by KPK investigators, accompanied by his attorneys, including Ronny Talapessy and Maqdir Ismail. Members of Cakra Buana Task Force, a mass organization affiliated with PDIP, also showed support upon his arrival.

Speaking to reporters before his detention, Hasto said he was mentally prepared. “I am ready, physically and spiritually. This is a good question about whether I might be detained. Our republic was founded on fair laws; that was the fundamental principle,” he told journalists. He believed that a fair legal system would enhance democracy and that the law should be enforced impartially.

Hasto claimed he intended to be cooperative, even though he maintained that his designation as a suspect was politically charged. He asserted there were no state losses in the matter. “I do not hold any government office, and there is no financial loss to the state in this case. If continued misuse of authority occurs, I trust it will galvanize the seeds of democracy to challenge oppressive power,” he said.

KPK investigators named Hasto Kristiyanto a suspect on Dec. 22, 2024. He faced accusations of bribery in facilitating the replacement of a House of Representatives member by Harun Masiku, a former legislative candidate from PDIP who had been a fugitive for around five years. Investigators alleged Hasto backed the bribe to Wahyu Setiawan, then a commissioner at the General Elections Commission, and instructed Harun to destroy evidence by submerging his phone before fleeing.