Jakarta. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has decided to keep Hasto Kristiyanto as its secretary-general, just weeks after his graft conviction was annulled by a presidential pardon from President Prabowo Subianto.

“Don’t change the winning team,” senior PDI-P politician Andreas Hugo Pereira said on Friday, explaining the rationale behind the move.

The decision makes Hasto the longest-serving secretary-general in the party’s history.

“Hasto has been with the party secretariat since 2010 and has served two terms as secretary-general. He is now entering his third term,” Andreas said.

He added that PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri entrusted the role to Hasto to help maintain stability during what he called the party’s “transition era.”

“We welcome a new generation at PDI-P and encourage younger members to step forward. However, we can’t afford drastic changes because this party has a long and storied history,” Andreas said.

Hasto was sentenced last month to three and a half years in prison for bribing a senior election official to secure a parliamentary seat for fellow PDI-P politician Harun Masiku.

Later that month, President Prabowo granted him a pardon along with 1,116 other convicts, including former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.

Justice Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said the pardons were granted after “thorough consideration,” with the main motivation being to preserve national unity. He added that both Lembong and Hasto had made “positive contributions” to the country.

“They have made achievements and served the Republic,” Supratman said, without elaborating. “The pardons are rooted in national interest and the goal of safeguarding Indonesia’s unity.”

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