Former KPK Investigator Highlights Hasto's Amnesty: Politician Cases Must Be Proven With Conclusive Evidence

Secretary General of the PDI-P DPP Hasto Kristiyanto at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (10/7/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Yudi Purnomo reminded law enforcement officials that they must maintain strong evidence when investigating corruption allegations involving politicians. Furthermore, the investigation must be conducted carefully.

Yudi made this point when discussing the amnesty granted to PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and the abolition of the former Minister of Trade from 2015-2016. He said this caution could close the gap for accusations of politicization.

"When handling political cases, law enforcement must be careful, starting from the investigation process," Yudi said when contacted on Friday, August 1.

"Even if the judge agrees with the prosecutor in his verdict, once again, the material evidence must be conclusive," he continued.

Yudi then shared his experience handling corruption allegations as an investigator. He said that investigating cases is usually difficult, especially if the politician holds a high position.

"That's why, going forward, even if it's not a legal standard, handling cases involving politicians must require conclusive evidence. For example, through sting operations that can no longer be denied," he explained.

"Or in corruption cases that occurred years ago, strong evidence is needed to demonstrate the benefits of the corruption, the flow of money, and even clearly demonstrate the perpetrator's malicious intent, for example, through accepting bribes and manipulating procurement of goods and services, including meetings with vendors."

As previously reported, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) approved amnesty for PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto, who was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for the bribery case involving the replacement of a member of the PDIP faction in the DPR. This decision was the result of a consultation meeting between the government and the DPR tonight, following a request for consideration and approval from the President.

"Approval and consideration of Presidential Letter Number R42 Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025, regarding amnesty for 1,116 convicted individuals, including Hasto Kristiyanto," said Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Thursday, July 31.

In addition to Hasto's amnesty, the House of Representatives also gave consideration and approval to Presidential Letter Number R43/Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025, regarding a request for consideration by the House of Representatives (DPR RI) regarding the granting of amnesty for Tom Lembong.

"Abolition for Tom Lembong. Presidential Letter Number R43/Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025, regarding the consideration of the DPR RI's approval for the granting of amnesty for Tom Lembong," said Dasco.

Abolition is the removal or elimination of a criminal event. This term is found in Article 14 of the 1945 Constitution which regulates the prerogative or special rights of the president by taking into account the considerations of the Indonesian House of Representatives.