Indonesia’s election commission chairman sacked over sexual harassment; no disruption expected for November’s regional polls

Indonesia’s election commission chairman sacked over sexual harassment; no disruption expected for November’s regional polls
Indonesia’s election commission chairman sacked over sexual harassment; no disruption expected for November’s regional polls

JAKARTA: The president of Indonesia’s standard election commission (KPU) has been fired for sexual harassment and his successor appointed, with a committee member promising there would be no disturbance to the region’s local elections in November. &nbsp,

The Election Organization Ethics Council ( DKPP ) found Mr. Hasyim Asyari guilty on Wednesday ( Jul 3 ) of sexually harassing a Dutch poll official based in The Hague. He was appointed KPU chairman in 2022. &nbsp,

The girl, identified by her initials Kitty, was part of an outside vote organising committee. The KPU usually employs Indian citizens who reside abroad or belong to its diaspora to assist with overseas voting and additional election-related tasks.

According to the DKPP, Mr. Hasyim had abused his position and the state’s solutions to convince the official to have intercourse with him at a motel in Amsterdam in October of that year. &nbsp,

According to a problem by the complainant, Mr Hasyim, who is married with three children, promised to marry Kitty, provide her with lifelong safety and protect her good title and emotional wellbeing.

He also made a promise to call CAT at least once per day, and if not, he would be willing to pay her IDR 4 billion ( US$ 245, 262 ) in installments over the course of four years.

According to DKPP part Muhammad Tio Aliansyah, Mr. Hasyim has “failed to maintain a balance between personal and public interests” by fusing personal needs with official jobs.

Heddy Lugito, the council’s chair, recommended that President Joko Widodo officially remove him as KPU chair, and he was appointed by DKPP chairman Heddy Lugito. &nbsp,

According to Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana on Thursday ( Jul 4), the president will follow up with a decree on his departure.

Mr Hasyim, who originally denied the sexual harassment allegations, has a series of different violations committed in the running of elections in Indonesia. &nbsp,

After accepting Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Mr. Widodo’s brother, as vice-presidential running mate of Mr. Prabowo Subianto, he was found guilty of an honest violation last October and received a final harsh reminder from the DKPP in February. The KPU had not yet changed the minimum age requirement for political and vice-presidential prospects. &nbsp,

After the dismissal, Mr Hasyim said:” Alhamdulillah ( praise be to God ) and I thank the DKPP for relieving me from the heavy tasks as a member of the KPU, which organises elections”.

A part of the KPU, Mr Idham Holik, said Mr Hasyim’s departure would not disrupt November’s local elections, where Citizens may choose their rulers, governors and mayors.

” Regarding the implementation of the regional election stages, it will run as scheduled”, Mr Idham told CNBC Indonesia on Thursday. &nbsp,

The KPU has appointed another commission member, Mr Mochammad Afifudin, as acting chairman.