JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) appointed Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, one of key leaders from the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP), as new Minister of Religious Affairs replacing his party’s colleague Suryadharma Ali, who is Chairman of the PPP and suspect in the haj graft case.
Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare and also Acting Minister of Religious Affairs, told Tempo that the President definitely considered Suryadharma’s request when appointing Lukman as new Religious Minister.
Agung said that Suryadharma, when tendered his resignation to the President on May 26, asked the President to keep two cabinet posts, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Public Housing, for PPP.
Born in Jakarta, on Nov. 25, 1952, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin now serves as the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). In the PPP’s Central Executive Board (DPP), Lukman serves as its Deputy Chairman. He is son of KH. Saifuddin Zuhri, who was Minister of Religious Affairs during 1962-1967 period.
Lukman said he will be sworn in as new Minister of Religious Affairs on Monday (June 9). He will serve the job for the next four months until SBY finishing his presidential term on Oct. 20. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)