JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM) Jero Wacik, who is also one of key leaders of President SBY’s Democratic Party, has tendered his resignation from the cabinet as well as his party after being named as graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Deputy Chairman of Democratic Party Max Sopacua, as quoted by Tempo.co on Sunday (September 7), confirmed Jero’s resignation from the party.
Earlier, President SBY’s Spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha has also confirmed that the president has received resignation letter from Jero Wacik. According to Julian, the president will appoint Coordinating Minister for Economy Chairul Tanjung as ad-interim ESDM Minister.
As reported earlier, the KPK named Jero as graft suspect for allegedly involved in a number of graft cases related to several procurement projects in the ESDM Ministry. KPK Chief Abraham Samad said Jero is alleged for blackmailing and receiving cash money from, for example, state-run oil & gas company PT Pertamina related to the holiday bonuses, known locally as tunjangan hari raya (THR), to members and leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) Energy Commission VII. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)