PDI-P politician reveals Samad's VP ambitions

JAKARTA. A senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician has claimed that Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad tampered with the legal process of some PDI-P graft suspects in order to secure the vice-presidential candidacy during the 2014 election.

PDI-P deputy secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said on Thursday that Samad had a series of meetings with several PDI-P politicians, including him and Hendropriyono, who was formerly involved in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s campaign team as an advisor.

"The initiative [for the meetings] was pushed by one of Samad's campaign team members. Two of them, D1 and D2, actively lobbied us," he told a press conference in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The meetings resulted in Samad helping some PDI-P politicians who were named suspects by the KPK, resulting in more lenient sentences.

"And in the following meetings, his campaign team asked for Samad to be considered as thevice-presidential candidate," Hasto said.

The meetings were held at the Capital Apartment in Pacific Place, Senayan, South Jakarta.

Hasto added that Samad always wore a green mask to cover his face as well as a cap for disguise during the meetings.

However, after careful deliberation, Jokowi decided to pair with Jusuf Kalla, instead.

On the night before Jokowi declared Kalla as his running mate, Hasto met Samad to tell him the bad news, which the latter claimed he already knew.

"I know [that I was not chosen] because I have tapped [some cellphones]. I know the one who caused my failure is Pak Budi Gunawan," Hasto said imitating Samad's response. (Hans Nicholas Jong)