Hasto Calls Saeful Bahri's Testimony Only Recycling: Legal Acrobat

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto At The Corruption Court

JAKARTA - PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto assessed that the testimony from witness Saeful Bahri was only part of the case recycling process. In fact, it does not reflect the actual facts.

Saeful Bahri was presented as a witness in the alleged bribery case of Inter-Time Replacement (PAW) Harun Masiku and the obstruction of investigation with the defendant Hasto Kristiyanto.

"The witness of Saeful Bahri's brother to the public prosecutor's question showed that the recycling process was real. Because what was read out in the BAP was a legal acrobatic," said Hasto during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, May 22.

According to him, the testimony in the Special Examination Report (BAPK) that became the prosecutor's reference was only an old statement taken during the investigation on January 8, 2020.

Hasto also considered that Saeful Bahri's statement was reappointed even though it contradicted the facts in the court's decision.

"When the BAPK was later revived, even though it was against the decisions number 18 and 28, it seemed that this was a recycling process," he said.

The contents of the re-appointed BAPK are considered burdensome. However, it does not contain new information that can describe the legal construction against it.

Exemplified, such as the continuous pressure from Harun Masiku to Saeful Bahri, including related to fund support that did not appear in the BAP.

"It's because there is a conflict of interest because other things are not mentioned," said Hasto.

Hasto also denied the narrative about the flow of funds worth Rp. 600 million which was linked to the alleged bribery. This is because the money was actually prepared for the reforestation program in the context of the PDI-P Anniversary on January 10, 2020.

The reforestation program was indeed implemented. If press colleagues come to the DPP, there is a vertical garden built in the context of the PDI-P's birthday which coincides with Earth Day," explained Hasto.

However, due to the incident that occurred on January 8, 2020, the program plan was canceled. Furthermore, Hasto said that the program budget was actually approved by the party treasurer with a value greater than Rp600 million.

"The budget is more than Rp600 million, so it's around Rp600-800 million. It was in my statement while testifying under oath in cases number 18 and January 28," said Hasto.