PIKIRAN RAKYAT – Chairperson of the DPP PDIP and the 5th president of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, admitted that she was sad to see the current Indonesian Government. She conveyed this in response to the case of Hasyim Asy’ari who was proven to have committed immoral acts and was fired as Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) by the Honorary Council of Election Organizers (DKPP).

“It was in the KPU yesterday. Why was I even said this? Because I’m a citizen of the nation. I'm sad to see the government of the Republic of Indonesia, the KPU is part of the government as well, why is it like that, I'm dizzy," she said, quoted Pikiran-Rakyat.com from Antara on Friday, 5 July 2024.

She assessed that the KPU should protect the community. Moreover, Indonesian society is still overshadowed by various social problems: poverty, injustice, and the shackles to participate equally.

“In fact, its (the KPU) function is to protect, as I said. (Indonesia) is still overshadowed by poverty, injustice, and various shackles on its right to participate equally in the entire political, economic, and development process of the nation's progress," she said.

DKPP recommends Hasyim Asyari be fired as Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) ANTARA/Aprillio Akbar.

The DKPP decided to dismiss Hasyim Asy’ari as a chairman and member of the KPU because he was proven to have committed an immoral act against a woman.

“Imposing a permanent dismissal sanction on the complainant Hasyim Asy’ari as the chairman and member of the General Election Commission of the Republic of Indonesia, this decision is counted as being read,” said Chairman of the DKPP, Heddy Lugito.

The DKPP also asked President Jokowi to immediately find a replacement for Hasyim Asy’ari.

“Indonesian President to implement this decision no later than seven days after the verdict is read,” he said.

The DKPP decision was immediately responded to by the Coordinator of the Special Presidential Staff, Ari Dwipayana. He said the government respects it and will follow up with the Presidential Decree.

“The government respects the DKPP decision as the institution authorized to handle violations of the code of ethics from Election Organizers. Regarding the sanction of permanent dismissal for KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari by the DKPP will be followed up with the issuance of a Presidential Decree," he said, quoted from Antara.

Meanwhile, Hasyim Asy'ari was actually grateful after being fired by the DKPP, "On this occasion, I would like to convey, thank God and I would like to thank the DKPP for freeing me from the heavy tasks as a member of the KPU that held the election." he said.

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, Hasyim Asy'ari was reported by the Legal Aid Consultation and Dispute Resolution Options Institute of the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia (LKBH-PPS FH UI), as well as the Legal Aid Institute of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH APIK) to the DKPP.

According to the victim’s lawyer, Hasyim Asy’ari’s actions violated the code of ethics contained in DKPP Regulation Number 2 of 2017 on the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for General Election Organizers.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Hasyim Asy’ari also attended the first hearing of the case. He was also present at the second and final hearing on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Megawati Seokarnoputri’s comments reflect her concern over the Indonesian government, particularly in light of the ethical violations within the Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU), Hasyim Asy’ari. This situation underscores broader societal problems in Indonesia, including poverty and injustice, which Megawati believes the government and its institutions should be addressing more effectively.*** (Politeknik Negeri Bandung/Sintia Yuliana)