Hasto Soak Twice When Quoting Bung Karno And The July 27 Attack

JAKARTA - PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto shed tears twice when reading a memorandum of defense or pledoi in the case of alleged bribery for handling changes between the DPR's 2019-2024 period and the obstruction of Harun Masiku's investigation.

The first moment occurred when Hasto said that President Soekarno inherited the spirit of struggle to build Indonesia.

"Because Bung Karno said that the revolution was not over yet" and Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri had shouted loudly in 1993 that "I have flown the flag, I must not be lowered," said Hasto in a trembling voice during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, July 10.

Hasto's tears fell again when he told the history of PDIP as a complaint about democracy which became the hope of the people being oppressed. In particular, when considering the attack on the PDI office on July 27, 1996.

"Whatever the risk, the Party continues to lead the movement of the people. The party is driven by ideas and ideals for independence so that justice and the prosperity of the people can be realized. In the PDI-P it always lights up with the spirit of struggle. In its history, when the authoritarian regime has been in power for 32 years, the PDI plays an important role as a complaint for democracy. The PDI-P is the hope of the people being oppressed and the ride for critical voices," said Hasto in a sobbing voice.

"PDI-P is trying to be destroyed through the dualism of power with direct state interference which led to the events of 27 July 1996 which we will soon commemorate," he continued.

At that time, Hasto had time to stop reading his defense note to breathe and hold back tears. Then, continue by conveying that PDIP is still every democracy in the midst of the increasingly stronger political pragmatism challenges.

"The history of oppression ultimately gave birth to the PDI-P. This party has always been loyal to the path of democracy even though in the 2004-2014 period, political pragmatism was getting stronger. In this period, party existence seems to only make it happen if it becomes part of the government. In this period, the PDI-P continues to consolidate ideology, organization, cadres, and party resources," said Hasto.

Hasto was previously charged by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) with 7 years in prison. In addition, the prosecutor also charged Hasto Kristiyanto with a fine of Rp. 600 million. If it is not paid, it will be replaced with a prison sentence of 6 months.

In this case, Hasto was charged together with advocate Donny Tri Istiqomah, former PDIP cadre Saeful Bahri, and Harun Masiku were charged with giving bribes of Rp 600 million to Wahyu Setiawan (KPU commissioner) in the 2019-2020 period.

This bribe is so that Wahyu seeks the KPU to approve the application of PAW for the South Sumatra Election Candidate (Sumsel) I on behalf of DPR members for the 2019-2024 period Riezky Aprilia to Harun Masiku.

Hasto was also charged with obstructing the investigation by ordering Harun, through the Aspiration House guard, Nur Hasan, to submerge Harun's cell phone into the water after the KPK OTT incident against Wahyu Setiawan.

Not only Harun Masiku's cellphone, Hasto is also said to have ordered his aide, Kusnadi, to drown his cell phone in anticipation of forced attempts by KPK investigators.

Hasto was charged with Article 21 and Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 13 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph (1) and Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.