In a sudden and surprise vote, the Ethics Committee decided to terminate the mandate of Hasyim Asy’ari, who was accused of sexually assaulting an (Indonesian) woman working in The Hague. Several serious ethical questions were raised against him. In a controversial decision, he had allowed the son of the outgoing president to run in the last elections by forcing the age limit.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – In a surprise decision linked to a sex scandal, the Ethics Committee of the Indonesian Election Commission (FKPP) Council voted yesterday to oust the head of the Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy’ari with immediate effect.
He will have to give up his dual role as chairman and member of the commission of a body that is a source of great prestige and power, and which was at the centre of controversy in the last elections for having “authorised” the controversial candidacy of outgoing President Joko Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming, who was authorized by a rule voted “ad hoc” to overcome the obstacle of the age limit.
The decision was taken by the DKPP following a series of internal verification protocols. According to the results of the investigation, Asy’ari allegedly sexually harassed an Indonesian woman working in The Hague and contributed on the ground to the smooth running of overseas voting operations for expatriates in the Netherlands and Europe last February.
Several serious ethical issues have been raised against the former head of the powerful commission, contained in file number 90/PKE-DKPP/V/2024. He will therefore have to answer for “sexual harassment of a Dutch election volunteer”.
Speaking on the matter, Justice Department Ethics Section Chief Heddy Lugito said he had “unanimously agreed to grant the complainant’s request and provide him with relief.” [the defendant from office] “for his misconduct.” After the hearing was broadcast live from the KPU headquarters in downtown Jakarta, Asy’ari himself said he was “relieved” after reading the DKKP verdict, because “I will be free from serious and crucial work for this nation.”
Analysts and experts point out that the decision of the DKKP to dismiss As’yari should provoke a quick reaction from the Indonesian administration, in particular from President Joko Widodo, the government and the Parliament (Dpr Ri). Each authority will now be called upon to identify a new candidate suitable for this sensitive post.
This is an urgent and crucial issue as Indonesia prepares to hold its second national general election to elect provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors on November 27, 2024. The one-day general election will cover 37 provinces and 508 districts/cities across the Indonesian archipelago. President Joko Widodo will complete his second presidential term on October 20. In the next two days, the head of state – who benefited from the role and decisions of the former commission head – is expected to issue an official letter legalizing As’yari’s dismissal.
