JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Deputy Chairman of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP), has been sworn in on Monday (June 9) as new Minister of Religious Affairs replacing his party’s colleague Suryadharma Ali, who resigned after named as suspect in the haj graft case.
Lukman will serve the job for the next four months until SBY finishing his presidential term on October 20.
Lukman previously served as Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). He was born in Jakarta, on Nov. 25, 1952. He is son of KH. Saifuddin Zuhri, who was Minister of Religious Affairs during 1962-1967 period.
As reported earlier, Suryadharma Ali, who is also Chairman of the PPP, tendered his resignation to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) on May 26.
Suryadharma has been named as suspect in the haj graft case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Since May 22, the KPK also asked the Immigration Office to ban Suryadharma from overseas travel for the next six months.
The 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).
There is also a possibility that Suryadharma will be charged with the Anti-Money Laundering Law. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)