Hasto Asks KPK To Focus On Handling Social Assistance Fraud To Budget Abuse

PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto

Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto said the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was open to various budget abuses, including social assistance (bansos). They should focus on law enforcement.

This was conveyed by Hasto in response to the statement by the Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri, who alluded to the whereabouts of former PDIP candidate Harun Masiku who was still at large.

"By looking at these election irregularities, the KPK should be proactive in investigating various social assistance frauds, various misuses of budget use. There are pre-employment funds that I received information on around Rp. 70 trillion, banking crimes," Hasto told reporters quoted on Monday, April 8.

"Then there is information related to illegal mining involving people close to power. This (should, ed) be the focus of the KPK," he continued.

Hasto reminded that the KPK as law enforcement officers should not just allow irregularities. Although he is not sure that the institution will dare to investigate what was conveyed.

"Does the KPK still have the guts to do that?" he asked.

The former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives believes that many parties will definitely support the anti-corruption commission. However, they must do their job without selective slashing and with integrity.

"That is our hope for the KPK," said Hasto.

As previously reported, the Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri regretted the accusations by the Secretary General of PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto regarding intimidation using the Harun Masiku case. Instead of operating, he should report to law enforcement officials.

For information, Harun has been a fugitive and has been on the wanted list (DPO) since January 29, 2020. He eliminated after being caught in a bribery case by former KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan regarding the interim shift (PAW) of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"That's not true. If you feel intimidated by anyone, please report to law enforcement," Ali told reporters quoted on Saturday, April 6.

In addition, Hasto is considered better to help find Harun, who until now is unknown. The information is considered more valuable.

"We hope that the person concerned can inform you of the whereabouts of Harun Masiku where he is at this time," he said.

"And if it is found, we will immediately bring it to the judicial process so that there is legal certainty," continued the spokesman with the prosecutor's background.