SINGAPORE: The anti-corruption agency’s decision to name Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto as a graft suspect has sparked claims that the move is politically motivated and reflects the agency’s bias.
On Dec 24, news broke that Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had issued a warrant to investigate Hasto for his alleged role in helping former party member and fugitive Harun Masiku secure a seat in the House of Representatives for the 2019 to 2024 term.
KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto told reporters that the commission had “found evidence” of Hasto’s involvement. He added that the party leader is also suspected of obstructing justice by instructing Harun to throw his phone into water and to run away.
Harun, who has been at large since 2020, is suspected of bribery for allegedly offering 1.5 billion rupiah (US$92,400) to a senior elections official in exchange for the House seat. The seat was left vacant after a PDI-P lawmaker-elect died after winning it in April 2019.
The KPK’s announcement was criticised by some netizens. Instagram user @jalyah_emyu23 said that KPK stood for Komisi Pesanan Kawan, or Friend Order Commission, while another user @annurulhasan said it stood for Komisi Pesanan Keluarga, or Family Order Commission.
They were referring to how the KPK has been seen in recent months to favour those in power, including former president Joko Widodo and current President Prabowo Subianto.
In September 2024, Widodo’s son Kaesang Pangarep was reported to the KPK after he travelled with his wife to the United States in August on a private jet.
The KPK has not taken any action beyond questioning Kaesang, who said he had initially planned to take a commercial flight to the US but then decided to “hitch a ride” with a friend.
“What about the Kaesang case, KPK? Why wasn’t it investigated thoroughly?” asked Instagram user @rabinsebayang in response to a post about Hasto.
Replying to questions on Hasto’s case, Widodo told reporters on Dec 25 that everyone should respect the legal process.
The KPK’s move on Hasto comes days after PDI-P expelled Widodo from the party on Dec 16. Widodo had not backed the party’s candidate in the February presidential election, instead choosing to support Prabowo, whose running mate was Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo’s elder son and now the vice-president.
On Dec 16, Prabowo inaugurated five new senior officers into the KPK. But critics pointed out that they had been selected by his predecessor’s administration. They allege that Widodo had interfered in the presidential election and now influences the way Prabowo’s administration governs the country.
The presidential office has denied any meddling by the former president.
PDI-P, once Indonesia’s most powerful party and which is led by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, has accused the KPK of being biased.
On Dec 24, PDI-P politician Chico Hakim told reporters: “It is very clear that there is an effort to disrupt the PDI-P, intending to undermine or take over (the party).”
The party currently has no presence in Prabowo’s Cabinet and is the largest established political party that is not a part of the President’s big-tent coalition.
Made Supriatma, an ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute visiting fellow, said the timing of the announcement is notable, given how the Harun case happened years ago.
“Why is the case being processed only now? Why, when there are many other cases, which are more important and bigger?” he said. “This raises the suspicions that the KPK is being ‘weaponised’.”
Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at strategic advisory firm Global Counsel, had similar views, saying that an impression is forming that the KPK will be used to undermine anyone who challenges the government’s agenda.
“The KPK’s increasing politicisation is evident, and we can anticipate a stronger crackdown on any opposition to government policies.”
Some say the KPK’s probe into Hasto is also aimed at tempering PDI-P’s criticism of government policy, notably the controversial plan to increase value-added tax (VAT) from 11 per cent to 12 per cent from Jan 1, 2025.
Puan Maharani, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairwoman of PDI-P’s central executive board, said on Dec 18 the tax hike could worsen the lives of Indonesians. She added that the government should listen to input from various groups, including experts, on its impact.
Dedi said: “Recent developments suggest that the incumbent is strategically applying pressure on PDI-P, positioning the party as the ‘opposition’ in response to its members’ outspoken criticism of the unpopular VAT hike.” - The Straits Times/ANN
