Jakarta: Election Commission chief ousted
In a sudden and surprise vote, the Ethics Committee voted to end the term of office of Hasyim Asy'ari accused of molesting an (Indonesian) woman operative in The Hague. A number of serious ethical issues were raised against him. In a controversial decision, he had authorised the outgoing president's son to run in the last election by forcing the age limit.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - In a surprise decision linked to a sex scandal, the Ethics Committee of the Board of the Indonesian Election Commission (Fkpp) yesterday voted to oust the head of the Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari with immediate effect.
He will have to relinquish his dual role as chairman and commission member of a body that is a source of great prestige and power, which was at the centre of controversy in the last election for having 'authorised' the controversial candidature of outgoing President Joko Widodo's son, Gibran Rakabuming, which was cleared by a rule voted 'ad hoc' to overcome the age limit obstacle.
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 working in The Hague and contributed on the ground to the smooth running of the voting operations abroad for expatriates in the Netherlands and Europe last February.
A number of serious ethical problems have emerged against the now former head of the powerful commission, contained in file no. 90/PKE-DKPP/V/2024. He will therefore have to answer for 'sexual harassment of a Dutch election volunteer'.
Speaking on the matter, the head of the ethics section of the Justice Department, Heddy Lugito, explained that he had 'unanimously agreed to grant the complainant's request and to relieve [the defendant from office] for his misconduct'. Following the live streaming of the hearing 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 emphasise that the Dkkp's decision to dismiss As'yari should elicit a swift response from the Indonesian administration, in particular from President Joko Widodo, the government and Parliament (Dpr Ri). Each authority will now be called upon to identify a new appointee suitable for the role and who will have to replace 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 in the Indonesian archipelago. President Joko Widodo will finish his second presidential term on 20 October. Within 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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05/02/2024 17:10
