In a sudden and surprise vote, the Ethics Committee voted to end the mandate of Hasyim Asy’ari, who is accused of sexually abusing a female (Indonesian) agent in The Hague. Several serious ethical questions were raised against him. In a controversial decision, he had allowed the outgoing president’s son to stand in the last election by pushing the age limit.
Jakarta () – In a surprising decision linked to a sex scandal, the Ethics Committee of the Indonesian Election Commission Board (Fkpp) voted yesterday to dismiss, with immediate effect, the head of the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy’ari. He will have to resign from his dual role as president and member of the commission of a body that enjoys great prestige and power, and which was at the centre of controversy in the last elections for having “authorized” the controversial candidacy of the son of outgoing President Joko Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming, which 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 committed sexual harassment of an Indonesian woman who worked 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.
A series of serious ethical issues have arisen against the now ex-head of the powerful commission, as recorded in file no. 90/PKE-DKPP/V/2024. He will therefore have to answer for “sexual harassment of a Dutch electoral volunteer”.
Speaking on the matter, the head of the Justice Department’s ethics section, Heddy Lugito, explained that she had “unanimously agreed to grant the whistleblower’s request and release [al acusado de su cargo] “for his misconduct.” Following a live broadcast of the hearing from the KPU headquarters in central Jakarta, Asy’ari himself said he was “relieved” after the DKKP verdict was read out, because “I will be freed from a serious and crucial job for this nation.”
Analysts and experts stress that the DKKP’s decision to dismiss As’yari should prompt a swift response from the Indonesian administration, in particular President Joko Widodo, the government and the parliament (DPR Ri). Each authority will now have to identify a new appointee suitable for the post and who will fill the sensitive vacancy.
This is an urgent and crucial matter as Indonesia prepares to hold its second nationwide general election to elect provincial governors, district heads and city mayors on 27 November 2024. The one-day general election to elect governors, district heads and mayors will involve 37 provinces and 508 districts/cities across the Indonesian archipelago. President Joko Widodo will end his second presidential term on 20 October. In the next two days, the head of state – who has benefited from the role and decisions of the former commission chief – is expected to issue an official letter legalising As’yari’s dismissal.
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