"As I have been named a suspect by the anti-graft body, I do not wish to hold the post of party chairman any longer. I am well aware of my position," stated Suryadharma Ali said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - After being named a suspect in the Hajj fund graft case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Suryadharma Ali announced that he will resign.

"As I have been named a suspect by the anti-graft body, I do not wish to hold the post of party chairman any longer. I am well aware of my position," stated Suryadharma Ali after an internal meeting at the office of PPP on Tuesday night, September 9.

In the meeting, Suryadharma said that he was willing to resign at the partys congress, where he was first elected the chairman.

Suryadharma also proposed that the congress be held on October 22 or 23, despite some members disagreeing to the proposal.

The Tuesday night meeting was considered to have a hidden agenda to urge Suryadharma to resign, which came from 26 regional party leaders.

"The partys branch does not support the 26 regional party leaders. I was not elected by the partys regional office, but by the partys branch," Suryadharma added.

Suryadharma considered the meeting unhealthy and that he had been actually forced to take the decision.

In light of the urgent need to dismiss him, Suryadharma left the meeting early saying he had another agenda on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the leadership board held a closed meeting to prepare for the partys congress.

Suryadharma admitted that a suggestion was made at the meeting asking him to step down.

Suryadharma has been charged with violation of Regulation No. 20/2001 on anti-corruption, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.

Last May, former religious affairs minister Suryadharma was named as a suspect in the graft case involving the misuse of funds related to the 2012-2013 Hajj pilgrimage programs.

Suryadharma is believed to have misappropriated the public Hajj funds and organized free Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for his inner circles and several public officials.

The anti-graft body also suspected misuse of Hajj funds, especially for paying hotel bills and travel expenses related to the Hajj pilgrimage.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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