JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The United Development Party (PPP) sacked its chairman Suryadharma Ali, now a graft suspect and former Minister of Religious Affairs, in a meeting of its top executives on Tuesday (September 9).
PPP Secretary General Romahurmuziy, in a press briefing last night, explained that PPP decided to dismiss Suryadharma following the decision from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to name the former Religious Minister as suspect in haj pilgrimage fund graft case.
Romahurmuzy also revealed that PPP has appointed Emron Pangkapi, PPP Deputy Chairman, as the new Acting Party Chairman replacing Suryadharma.
Chairman of PPP’s Banten chapter Mardiono, meanwhile, claimed this morning that about 28 party leaders from 28 provincial chapters (DPW) have backed up the party’s decision to fire Suryadharma.
Suryadharma Ali has been named as suspect on May 22, 2014, which prompted him to resign from his position as Religious Minister. KPK has charged Suryadharma with Article 2 Paragraph 1 or Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law juncto Article 65 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)