Several cadres believe that the current media revelation about Suryadharma Ali being named a suspect in the Hajj fund corruption case has tarnished the party`s image.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The United Development Party (PPP) has removed Suryadharma Ali from the post of chairman following a meeting of the political partys national leaders held on Tuesday, (Sept. 9).

Suryadharma Ali will be replaced by Emron Pangkapi who will function as the acting chairman.

"To avoid any further harm, the party has decided to dismiss Suryadharma Ali and Emron Pangkapi will replace him as the acting chairman," the partys Secretary General, Romahurmuziy, stated here on Wednesday.

Romahurmuziy explained that the provisions regarding dismissal of the partys members has been set in Article 10, paragraph 1 on the partys statutes.

Several cadres believe that the current media revelation about Suryadharma Ali being named a suspect in the Hajj fund corruption case has tarnished the partys image.

"On this day, we formally dismissed Suryadharma Ali, and it is legitimated by the partys organizer," Romahurmuizy affirmed.

Earlier, Suryadharma Ali who also attended the partys closed session meeting held here on Tuesday night (Sept. 9) stressed that the meeting was organized to solely discuss the formation of a committee for a conference, which will take place on October 22, 2014.

However, Suryadharma Ali admitted that during the meeting, he was asked to step down from his current post.

Suryadharma Ali accused that the partys board had conspired to dismiss him, as a result of which he left the meeting early.

Suryadharma Ali is charged with Anti-Corruption Regulation Number 20/2001 that carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

Last May, former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali was named as a suspect in a graft case involving the misuse of funds related to the 2012-2013 Hajj pilgrimage program. Suryadharma had allegedly embezzled public Hajj funds and organized free Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for his inner circles and several public officials. The KPK 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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