Hasto Kristiyanto Claims Never To Be Examined As A Prospective Suspect, Only Asked About Biodata

Hasto Kristiyanto's attorney, Ronny Talapessy, after the trial of his client's pretrial at the South Jakarta District Court. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto is said to have never been summoned or questioned as a potential suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

This was conveyed by Hasto Kristiyanto's attorney, Ronny Talapessy after the pretrial hearing regarding the validity of the determination of the suspect which took place at the South Jakarta District Court (Jaksel).

"We see that Mas Hasto Kristiyanto has never been examined as a potential suspect or as a witness," Ronny told reporters, Wednesday, February 5.

In fact, it was stated that Hasto had indeed been summoned to undergo an examination at the KPK on June 10, 2024. However, his client was not at all asked for information or examination regarding the alleged bribery of interim replacement (PAW) members of the DPR.

At that time, the Secretary General of the PDIP was only questioned about his identity without mentioning a single thing related to the alleged bribery.

"The incident on June 10 became Mas Hasto Kristiyanto, only asked about biodata," said Ronny.

With this condition, Ronny assessed that the KPK had made a mistake in determining the suspect against Hasto. Moreover, there are two criminal acts that are suspected, namely the alleged bribery and obstruction of the investigation.

"This is something odd and needs to be remembered, in this case, the suspicion against Mas Hasto Kristiyanto on two counts, namely bribery and obstruction of Justice Article 5 and Article 21 cannot be the same," said Ronny.

For information, Hasto did not accept being named a suspect so that he filed a pretrial regarding the bribery case for the interim replacement (PAW) of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives together with Donny Tri Istiqomah who is a lawyer and PDIP cadre.

In addition, Hasto was also named a suspect in the obstruction of the investigation. He is suspected of obstructing the KPK's move to arrest Harun Masiku in the 2020 hand arrest operation (OTT).