Jakarta – The chairman, a number of commissioners and the secretary general (secretary general) of the Indonesian KPU have been given strict warnings from the Election Organizer Honor Council (DKPP). These severe sanctions have been imposed on them in relation to procuring private jet charters during the 2024 elections. The issue of private jets is not something new that has struck the Indonesian KPU officials. In mid-2024, this matter became a hot topic of public discussion after it was revealed by members of the DPR RI in a meeting. Check out the summary at detikcom. Scroll TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Members of the DPR have spoken out. The issue of the hiring of private jets by high-ranking KPU RI officials initially became public after it was raised by members of the DPR in a joint meeting with the KPU RI last year. The meeting was held by Commission II of the DPR by convening the Indonesian KPU to discuss the budget plan on Wednesday (15/5/2024) at the DPR RI Building, Senayan, Jakarta. Member of Commission II DPR RI of the Golkar faction, Riswan Tony, then highlighted the lifestyle of KPU members who liked to go on an excursion. Riswan suggested reducing the budget for the 2025 election phase. “What have they done in the last four years? Try to imagine four years with the existing budget often going back and forth to Jakarta, not to mention those who say that the center often holds meetings here and there,” Riswan said. “They come here every week, so if there is a budget for 2025, for next year 2025 there will be no more Pilkada, we will only make the chairman smaller, no more billions and trillions,” he continued. According to him, a budget that is too big has changed the lifestyle of KPU members. He then gave an example of the lifestyle of KPU members such as the fictional character Don Juan. “In the end it was nothing surprising. To have Rp. 56 T was a shock, the result was that someone was like Don Juan. Renting a private jet, not to mention the clubbing, it’s not that we haven’t heard about it, DKPP definitely knows, it’s impossible not to know, not to mention the woman,” he explained. “So, as a special request, Mr. Chairman of the DKPP, we ask that it be open, if we don’t want it to be open, we ask that it be closed,” he added. Hasyim Asy’ari’s response to this issue was immediately responded to by the former KPU chairman Hasyim Asy’ari. Hasyim said the reason for hiring a private jet was solely to monitor election logistics. “The plane is a chartered plane for monitoring logistics. Our logistics acquisition only takes 75 days, you know, and it is the KPU’s responsibility. If logistics fail, February 14th fails, who will be held responsible?” Hasyim told journalists at the DPR RI Building, Senayan, Jakarta on Wednesday (15/5). Hasyim said the jet hire was to ensure that ballots, especially forms, could be sent on time. He mentioned that the logistics procurement time is only 75 days which must be completed correctly. “This is to ensure that ballots, especially form ballots, are sent on time,” said Hasyim. “Did you know, friends, logistics acquisition only takes 75 days, who does not have a heartbeat? If it fails, who will be accused of failure?” he continued. KPU officials complained to DKPP This issue had a long tail until it was reported to DKPP. Case number 178-PKE-DKPP/VII/2025 was filed by Sri Afrianis and Dudy Agung Trisna, who authorized Ibnu Syamsu Hidayat and his friends. The complainants alleged that the defendants breached the KEPP in relation to the procurement of private jet charters under the pretext of providing logistical support for the 2024 elections. The complainants complained about the Chairman of the Indonesian KPU, Mochammad Afifuddin, and five of his members, namely: Idham Holik, Yulianto Sudrajat, Parsadaan Harahap, August Mellaz and Betty Epsilon Idroos. Apart from that, the complainant also complained about the Secretary General of the Indonesian KPU, Bernard Dermawan Sutrisno. DKPP decision The DKPP imposed strict warning sanctions on the Chairman, KPU members and the Secretary General of the KPU. DKPP adjudged to have breached the code of ethics for election organizers in relation to the procurement of private jet hire. “The imposition of strict warning sanctions on Accused I Muhammad Afifuddin, as Chairman and member of the KPU. Accused II Idham Holik. Accused III Yulianto Sudrajat. Accused IV Parsadaan Harahap. Accused V August Mellaz, each of whom is a member of the General Election,” said that the Chairman of the General Election is this decision,” said DKPP. in the judgment hearing that was broadcast via YouTube DKPP, Tuesday (21/10/2025). “To impose a severe warning sanction on Accused VII Bernard Dermawan Sutrisno as Secretary General of the General Electoral Commission from the time this decision was read,” he continued. In the meantime, DKPP decided to destroy the good name of Betty Epsilon rehabilitate. DKPP assessed that there was no evidence that Betty had violated the code of ethics for election organizers. “Rehabilitate the good name of Accused VI Betty Epsilon Idroos as a member of the General Election Commission from the time this decision was read,” he said. In its consideration, the DKPP assessed that the actions of accused I towards accused V and defendant VII in the use of a private jet was not justified according to the ethics of election organizers. In addition, the participants chose luxury private jets. “Accused I’s argument that the consideration of using a private jet is because the campaign period for the 2024 elections lasts only 75 days, so the time for the acquisition and distribution of logistics for the 2024 elections is very limited, is unacceptable,” says DKPP member Dewi Pitalolo who read out her considerations. Dewi said the accused used private jets 59 times. In fact, private jets are not used in 3T areas. “That the use of private jets is not in accordance with the initial planning, for monitoring logistics distribution in 3T, disadvantaged, border and extreme areas,” he explained. “Among the 59 trips with private jets, is not found a single travel route for logistics distribution purposes,” he continued. These private jets are mostly used for monitoring logistics warehouses in various areas. Attend technical guidance from the vote organizer group (KPPS). Then, activities to strengthen institutional capacity during simultaneous elections. Then, activities to hand over compensation to ad hoc agency officials, as well as the monitoring of the readiness and implementation of revoting (PSU) in the 2024 elections in Kuala Lumpur. “Even among the 59 trips, most of them were not 3T areas, underdeveloped, border, outer areas, especially in areas visited with private jets, there were commercial flights with adequate flight schedules,” said Dewi. DKPP also assessed that the defendants’ actions were not in accordance with the principle of efficiency, which is regulated in Articles 18A and 18B of the DKPP regulations. “Accused I to Accused V and Accused VII have proven that they violated the code of ethics and conduct guidelines for election organizers,” he said. Meanwhile, DKPP assessed that defendant VI, Betty, had committed no violation of the code of ethics. DKPP stated that Betty ‘s actions in refusing to use a private jet were in line with ethics. “Accused VI’s action in not using a private jet and preferring to use a commercial aircraft is an action that is in line with the principles of decency as a public servant, especially in terms of monitoring logistics distribution,” he said. “There is no evidence that the accused violated the code of ethics and conduct guidelines for election organizers did not violate,” he added. (fca/fca)
The impact of chartering a private jet makes the KPU subject to severe sanctions
