Hasto Calls Trial Full Of Conflict Of Interest, Can't Get Witness Information Until It's Intimidated

PDIP Politician Guntur Romli (DOK Rizky AP/VOI)

The Secretary General (Sekjen) of the PDIP, Hasto Kristiyanto, said that there was a conflict of interest or conflict of interest at the trial of the alleged obstruction of investigation and bribery in the management of interim replacement (PAW) for members of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period, which was held today.

Hasto made this statement through a letter read by PDIP politician, Guntur Romli, before the trial began.

In the letter, Hasto said that he had not received a witness notification which would be presented by the prosecutor until 08.00 WIB. In fact, many witnesses from his side were intimidated.

"This complements the practice of violating due process of law and the principles of justice and equality, because that is more complete scenarios that have made me, Hasto Kristiyanto, a target. Then also, this is a recycling case and many of my witnesses or Hasto Kristiyanto are intimidated," Romli told reporters at the Central Jakarta District Court, Thursday, April 17.

Even so, it was not clearly conveyed the form of intimidation in question. It is only mentioned that conflicts of interest are increasingly felt when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) actually makes investigators as witnesses to prove its indictment.

"KPK investigators have deployed witnesses from within the KPK, there are 13 investigators and former KPK investigators who are used as witnesses to burden the PDIP Secretary General so this is full of conflict of interest," said Romli.

As for the case of alleged obstruction to the investigation. Hasto said that the process of collecting evidence was carried out by going against the law.

"Evidence against allegations of obstruction of justice was carried out by unlawful acts in which Rossa, a KPK investigator disguised himself, lied to Kusnadi, intimidated, confiscated the goods belonging to the PDIP DPP and Kusnadi's property and checked without a valid summons," said Romli.

For information, Hasto was charged with obstructing the investigation by ordering Harun, through the Aspiration House guard, Nur Hasan, to submerge Harun's cell phone into the water after the arrests by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against members of the General Election Commission (KPU) for the 2017-2022 period Wahyu Setiawan.

Not only Harun Masiku's cellphone, Hasto is also said to have ordered his aide, Kusnadi, to drown his cell phone in anticipation of forced attempts by KPK investigators.

In addition to obstructing investigations, Hasto was also charged together with advocate Donny Tri Istiqomah; the former convict of the Harun Masiku case, Saeful Bahri; and Harun Masiku gave money amounting to 57,350 Singapore dollars or equivalent to Rp600 million to Wahyu in the 2019-2020 period.

The money is allegedly given with the aim that Wahyu strives for the KPU to approve the request for an interim replacement (PAW) for the Elected Legislative Candidate for the Electoral Region (Dapil) of South Sumatra (Sumsel) I on behalf of the Members of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period Riezky Aprilia to Harun Masiku.