JAKARTA - Secretary-General (Sekjen) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, denied allegations that he had slammed the table and shouted at PDIP cadre Riezky Aprilia when asking her to withdraw from the legislative election in District 1 of South Sumatra (Sumsel) in accordance with the party's decision.
Hasto made this statement during his examination as a defendant in the trial regarding the alleged bribery case related to the replacement of members of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2019-2024 period and the obstruction of the investigation into Harun Masiku.
The matter began when the prosecutor mentioned Hasto's request for Riezky to withdraw from the election candidacy, using a tone or intonation filled with emotion.
"So, when the defendant asked Riezky to withdraw, Riezky refused, leading to a debate between the defendant and Riezky Aprilia at that time. Was it true that when the defendant spoke in an emotional tone, according to Riezky, he said, 'This is the party's order'?" the prosecutor asked during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday, 26 June.
"Yes, more accurately, this is the party's decision," Hasto replied.
"Then did Riezky Aprilia say, 'I will step down if I hear it directly from the party chairperson'?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes," Hasto replied.
The prosecutor then asked whether there was an argument with Riezky during that communication, even to the point of slamming the table.
"Then, is it true that at that time you also became emotional and slammed the table? Did you say, 'I am the party secretary-general'? Is that correct?" the prosecutor asked.
"No, I did not slam the table in the sense of emphasising that this was the party's decision. Mr. Komar was present as a witness, confirming that this was the party's decision," Hasto replied.
Hasto admitted he did not remember the details of the argument. He said Riezky did not cry during the argument regarding the request to step down.
"Then Riezky Aprilia, emotionally and while standing, said, 'I know you are the Party Secretary-General, but you are not God,'" the prosecutor asked.
"I don't quite remember, so I asked Mr. Komarudin. According to Mr. Komarudin, that wasn't true, and he also said she didn't cry there," Hasto replied.
"She didn't cry?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes, according to the information from Mr. Komarudin after I asked him, because the incident happened a long time ago. I forgot, so I asked my legal advisor to ask Mr. Komarudin. So there was no one standing there saying, 'You're not God,' like that. There wasn't," Hasto replied.
"Was it true that during the argument, Riezky Aprilia said, 'You're not God,' and then Mr. Komarudin intervened between the defendant and Riezky Aprilia?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes, Mr. Komarudin clarified that this is the party's decision. Well, if I said I'm not God, then I'm not God. That's true, but I don't remember the exact statement," said Hasto.
Previously, former PDIP faction member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Riezky Aprilia, revealed a moment when PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto became angry and slammed the table.
"At that time, I was present, Mr. Secretary-General, and I questioned the issue of my inauguration. My inauguration, my invitation. There was a discussion at that time, that I would be given an invitation if I agreed to step down. I asked what the reason was, why I was told to step down at that time," said Riezky.
"Because I am also a party member, I work for this party as well. And at that time, to be honest, I was a bit emotional because I was tired, I was tired, I kept going like that. At that time, I understood that perhaps the Secretary-General was also tired. He was emotional, and I was emotional, until he stated that this was the party's order," she added.
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Then, Riezky stated that he would resign as ordered if requested directly by PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. At that point, Hasto's anger grew even more.
"Please excuse me if I try to recall, I said, I will resign if I hear it directly from the Chairperson at that time. And the Secretary-General responded, and that is something I will never forget because I was quite surprised for the first time I could interact, 'I am the Party Secretary-General.' At that moment, my reaction was also emotional; I stood up and said, 'I know you are the Party Secretary-General, but you are not God.' That is what I conveyed, a brief moment with the Secretary-General, but it has remained etched in my mind until now," said Riezky.
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