"(We have) named Muhammad Anis Matta as president of the Prosperous Justice Party," the chairman of the party`s supervisory board, Hilmi Aminuddin, said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has named Muhammad Anis Matta the party`s new president to replace Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq.

The announcement on his appointment as the new party chief was made at a press conference here on Friday after Luthfi Hasan resigned following his arrest by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for alleged involvement in a bribery case recently.

"(We have) named Muhammad Anis Matta as president of the Prosperous Justice Party," the chairman of the party`s supervisory board, Hilmi Aminuddin, said announcing Anis`s appointment at the press conference at the party headquarters.

Hilmi said the supervisory board meanwhile had also named M Taufik Ridho, the party`s executive chairman for youth and professional affairs, as the new party secretary general.

"It is a conspiracy to topple PKS," Anis said in his speech after the announcement of his nomination at the conference, referring to the recent arrest of PKS former president Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq that had led to his resignation.

In view of that Anis who is currently also deputy house speaker, called on party cadres to join hands and work hard and pray for God`s help to fight it.

"There will be no time for a sleep as of today," he said at the conference packed with party cadres who kept shouting "God is Great during his speech.

He said "Luthfi was taken from this room. And so from this room too we must repent and rise believing that we can."

On the occasion Anis Matta also announced his resignation as deputy house speaker and member of the parliament.

Luthfi Hasan has been named suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly receiving bribes along with Ahmad Fathanah over cow meat import.

PKS, the Moslem-based party, has recently been confirmed as one of the ten political parties allowed to participate in the next general elections in 2014. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013