Criticized As Hasto's Lawyer, Febri Diansyah: Differences In View I Respect

Former KPK Spokesperson Febri Diansyah/DOK PHOTO; Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Former KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah casually faced criticism from many parties regarding his decision to become a lawyer for PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto. He called the difference of opinion a common thing.

"If I may convey, sometimes maybe we can have different opinions because we see different points of view," said Febri when contacted by VOI, Saturday, March 15.

"I appreciate all these inputs," continued the lawyer.

Febri said his choice to accompany Hasto, who is a defendant in the interim replacement bribery (PAW) case for members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and the obstruction to investigation was due to professional demands. He has limits and continues to strive to maintain integrity.

"Currently I am carrying out my professional duties as an advocate. I will carry out this as straight as possible," he said.

Febri also emphasized that he had never conveyed anything related to the Harun Masiku case in 2020 when he was a spokesman for the anti-corruption commission.

As for the case that ensnared Hasto, it is known that it is the development of a hand arrest operation (OTT) that should ensnare the former PDIP candidate.

He said, changes to the agency's spokesman had been made. Febri had already checked before deciding to become Hasto's lawyer.

"Regarding the criticism that I was the KPK spokesman when OTT happened, this was not true. Before deciding to handle this case, I also re-checked whether during the OTT I was still the KPK spokesman or not," explained Febri.

From his check, Febri explained that he was replaced by Ali Fikri as the acting (Plt) spokesperson for the KPK. This process occurred a week after the KPK leadership for the 2019-2024 period was sworn in on December 20, 2019.

"I announced the resignation as a spokesman on December 26, 2019, while the OTT occurred on January 8-9, 2020. At that time I remember that the Acting Spokesperson for Enforcement and Prevention had been appointed. This can easily be checked in the news," he said.

"And of course because I am not in the Enforcement department, I have never handled the case," concluded Febri.