Mystery of Harun Masiku's Whereabouts: KPK Raises Possibility He May Have Died

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) plans to open the possibility of pursuing an in absentia trial mechanism against Harun Masiku, a suspect in an alleged bribery case concerning the interim replacement (PAW) of a member of the House of Representatives, who is also a fugitive.

For context, in absentia refers to the process of examination and court trial conducted without the presence of the defendant.

“This is perhaps an option that is legally possible, and we will try to discuss later the possibility of in absentia proceedings,” said Deputy Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Fitroh Rohcahyanto, on Thursday, 30 July 2026.

However, Fitroh explained that this option would only be pursued if the individual in question remains untraceable despite maximum search efforts.

“Perhaps he is already dead — we simply do not know. But those efforts (the search) will continue,” he explained.

He also affirmed that, as long as the case has not expired under the statute of limitations, there is no grounds to issue a warrant to terminate the investigation (SP3).

Previously, the KPK confirmed that it is still pursuing Harun Masiku, the fugitive in the interim replacement bribery case.

“Our investigators are certainly still making efforts to search for HM as a KPK fugitive,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

Budi explained that the KPK is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, including entities abroad, to locate Harun.

“We are coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Indonesia as well as entities overseas, so that they may provide information should they learn of the individual’s whereabouts,” he explained.

It is understood that Harun Masiku is a suspect in the 2020 interim replacement bribery case. Harun, a legislative candidate for the House of Representatives from the PDIP, bribed Wahyu Setiawan, who at the time was a commissioner of the General Elections Commission (KPU).

However, Harun’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Arrest operations have been conducted since January 2020, but have yet to succeed.

Meanwhile, Wahyu Setiawan, who received the bribe, has been prosecuted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

In this case, Wahyu received bribes worth Rp600 million.