Wahyu Setiawan, Playing Alone With Uncertainty

Chairman of the KPU Arief Budiman (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - There is no prejudice against the Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) RI Arief Budiman and all other KPU commissioners that his colleague, Wahyu Setiawan, is a suspect in a bribery case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

During the press conference until leaving the KPK's Red and White House, Arief and other commissioners, namely Ilham Saputra, Viryan Aziz, and Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi could not cover their sadness. It was clear that their eyes were red and glazed while they were in the KPK building.

They also did not realize that Wahyu received bribes to get one of the candidates to organize the 2019 General Election process. Given, Arief feels that his party has run an institutional system according to the rules.

"Not (suspicious), since the beginning our decision regarding the process (determination of candidates) was consistent in accordance with the provisions of the legislation," said Arief before leaving the KPK's Red and White House, South Jakarta, Thursday, January 9.

Based on KPK's statement, Wahyu did indeed commit the criminal act of bribery himself, without involving other KPU commissioners. On August 31, 2019, the KPU appointed Riezky Aprilia as a legislative candidate for the DPR RI from PDIP.

Riezky replaces Nazarudin Kiemas who died during the election process through interim replacement (PAW). However, a PDIP cadre named Harun Masiku hopes to replace Riezky through Wahyu's assistance, assisted by a request letter from the PDIP to the KPU.

"Ready, play!" Wahyu said when he received Aaron's request at that time. To launch this game, Wahyu asked for Rp. 900 million as operational funds.

Wahyu had received an initial deposit from one of the sources of funds, which the KPK had not yet named, amounting to Rp. 200 million. Then, Wahyu again received a bribe of Rp.400 million. This money is still held by his confidant, namely former Bawaslu member Agustiani Tio Fridelina.

Rp. 900 million in bribes requested by Wahyu Setiawan (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOi)

Unfortunately, midway through their game, on Tuesday, January 7, it turned out that the KPU still rejected the PDIP's request to designate Harun as PAW, and remained at the original decision.

"The KPU has finished making a policy for the case. It is final. All (KPU commissioners) agree that the decision is this (still nominating Riezky), because the law says so," continued Arief.

However, at that time Wahyu did not give up because the money had been absurdly deposited. Wahyu then said that he had received the money and would try again so that Harun became a PAW.

Until his arrest, Wahyu's action failed to achieve his goal. On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, the KPK conducted OTT on Wahyu and Agustiani who were at Soekarno Hatta Airport securing IDR400 million in evidence in the hands of Agustiani in Singapore dollars.

For the actions of Wahyu and Agustiani who accepted bribes, then they are suspected of violating Article 12 paragraph (1) letter a or b or Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st Criminal Code.