I have received the resignation letter from Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi tendered his resignation after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a suspect in a bribery case involving the National Sports Committee (KONI).

"I have received the resignation letter from Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remarked at the Merdeka Palace here on Thursday.

"I will respect the decision of the KPK that named Imam Nahrawi as a suspect in the disbursement of grant to KONI (the National Sports Committee of Indonesia)," he stated.

The president has yet to take a decision on the figure to replace Nahrawi. "I have just received the resignation letter. We will think about it," he stated.

Jokowi has appealed to his aides to be prudent and judicious in the utilization of the state budget.

"Use the state budget prudently, as it is under the monitoring of the State Audit Board (BPK)," he stated.

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On Wednesday (Sept 18), the KPK had named Nahrawi as a suspect in a bribery case in the disbursement of government's funding for the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) in 2018.

The anti-graft body claims that Nahrawi had allegedly received bribes to the tune of Rp26.5 billion through his assistant Miftahul Ulum.

The bribe was offered to smooth KONI's grant proposals during the fiscal year 2018. The money was used for the National Awakening Party (PKB) politician's personal use.

"The money was used for catering to the personal interest of the youth and sports minister and others," KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata stated at a press conference.

Nahrawi and Miftahul were charged for violating Article 12, letter a or b or Article 12 B or Article 11 of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Corruption Eradication.

EDITED BY INE

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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Sri Harya
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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