Golkar Members Compete to Replace Leader Indicted in Alleged KPK Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Three Golkar Party politicians are allegedly competing over the position of fellow Party member and House Deputy Speaker Azis Syamsuddin who is currently targeted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in their latest suspected graft investigation. 

Syamsuddin is not only the House Deputy but also the Deputy of the Golkar Party.

Citing the latest report from Tempo Magazine (September 12), internal Party talks are rife about the alleged corruption cases attributed to Syamsuddin with a number of politicians aiming to replace him.

A Golkar Party Golkar board member, Fahmi Idris, in an interview admitted the existence of this competition and views it as a reasonable outcome especially when the subject matter is surrounded by legal problems. 

“Internally, this is somewhat a legal consequence,” said Idris on September 10, the magazine reported. 

He then gave a similar example back in 2017 when the House Speaker was held by Golkar Party chairperson Setya Novanto, who at the time was being investigated for massive corruption in the country’s electronic ID card project. 

There are currently three names rumored to be eyeing on Syamsuddin’s position in the House which include Melchias Marcus Mekeng, Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung, and Adies Kadir, who are GOlkar Party officials. 

Fahmi Idris said the Party will never be short of candidates to replace Azis and even said “It would not be a difficult affair,” but asserts that his position will depend on the decision made by Party Chairperson Airlangga Hartarto. 

Azis Syamsuddin is currently being incriminated in the KPK investigation based on the indictment cited from the Central Jakarta DIstrict Court for allegedly bribing a former KPK investigator. Read the complete report in the latest September 12 Edition of Tempo Magazine.

Read: KPK's List of 5 Least Wealthiest Ministers

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