Megawati will not Protect Hasto Kristiyanto, Watchdog Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Executive Director of Indonesian political wathcdog Parameter Politik Indonesia Adi Prayitno, asserted that Chairwoman of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri, will not defend the party's cadres who are involved in corruption cases, including PDIP General Secretary Hasto Kristiyanto.

"If the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has proven that Hasto was involved and is a suspect, PDIP will surely fire Hasto. Whereas, if KPK did not find any evidence, Hasto will safe. Hasto's position is determined by KPK," said Adi when contacted by Tempo on Friday, January 10, 2020.

Adi believed that Hasto's fate now depends on KPK's investigation. Adi added that Megawati cannot intervene in the legal processes. "The public already 'judge' Hasto because his closest associates have been captured by the KPK in a sting operation. Hasto's fate will be determined by on the ongoing investigation conducted by KPK. The law could not be intervened by anyone," Adi stated.

Hasto Kristiyanto was suspected to be involved in the bribing of General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan. The indication was strengthened by KPK's plan to search Harto's workspace in Jalan Diponegoro No. 60, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Two days ago, two of Hasto's associates were arrested by KPK. Both are identified as Saeful Bachri and Donny Tri Istiqomah, an advocate and a legislative candidate of PDIP, respectively.

KPK Vice-Chairman Lilies Pintauli Siregar, said that the KPK may investigate Hasto. "Maybe [the investigation] will not be limited to Hasto, but also all related parties that intervened with this case," said Lili.

Hasto denied his involvement in the bribery and claimed to have no information concerning his staffs that were arrested by the KPK. "I don't know because I was sick," said Hasto on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

DEWI NURITA