Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who has refused to resign after being named a suspect in the haj management graft case, may soon face dismissal after all.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who returned from a state visit to Manila on Saturday, is set to make a decision on Suryadharma's position on Monday, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said on Saturday.
He said it was "very likely" that the President would suspend or fire Suryadharma and instruct him to focus on his legal problems. "It is the prerogative of the President."
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has charged Suryadharma with malfeasance, enriching himself and others, as well as corporate enrichment while managing the 2012-2013 haj pilgrimage programs. It is alleged that Suryadharma also abused his power by flying relatives and colleagues to Saudi Arabia to go on the haj for free.
A day after he was named a suspect, Suryadharma said he would not quit his post as he wanted to make sure that this year's haj program ran smoothly.
Suryadharma is the second active minister to be charged with graft after Democratic Party politician and former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, who was named a suspect in late 2012 for his alleged role in the Rp 2.5 trillion (US$216 million) Hambalang sports complex case.
However, at that time, or less than 24 hours after he was named a graft suspect, Andi tendered his resignation from his ministerial post to focus on his legal case. Andi said he did not want to be a liability to the Cabinet.
Earlier on Saturday in Manila, Yudhoyono told a press conference that he would indeed soon make a move to ensure that Suryadharma focused on his legal problem while at the same time ensuring that the case did not hamper the work of the Religious Affairs Ministry, according to the Cabinet Secretariat website.
Yudhoyono was quoted as saying "a minister is also a top decision-maker, a top policymaker in his ministry who must have people's full trust. That trust [should] not be shaken. That is what will I address as soon as I arrive back home."
Yudhoyono added that he always respected the legal process and the KPK, saying that he presumed the law was enforced fairly and transparently.
Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said that the President had appreciated Andi's move, indicating that he was hoping that Suryadharma would do the same thing.
Separately on Saturday, the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa campaign team said it would evaluate whether to dismiss Suryadharma from the team as his case would affect the presidential campaign.
However, it predicted that it would not significantly hamper the approval rating of the pair.
"Of course it will affect it a bit. Therefore, we will evaluate his role on the team," said Laurens Bahang Dama, who is a member of the team and a National Mandate Party (PAN) member.
Previously, Prabowo said he was convinced that Suryadharma was innocent. "I was shocked by the news. But I personally don't believe that Pak Suryadharma is guilty in the case," he said as quoted by Antara news agency.
Gerindra Party chairman Suhardi alleged that politics was behind the KPK's move to charge Suryadharma, given the timing of his being named a suspect. The Prabowo-Hatta camp said earlier that it would provide legal assistance to the PPP leader.
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