P

rosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician M. Misbakhun announced his resignation on Friday from the Islamic party to join the Golkar Party.

“I have talked to PKS chairman Anis Matta and other party executives at the party’s headquarters,” the politician, known as an outspoken critic of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said.

“I thank all the PKS members for the support they have given me.”

 Misbakhun said that he chose Golkar because it was one of the oldest political parties in the country which had stood the test of time. “I want to be part of the party’s history,” he said.

 Misbakhun is one of the initiators of the legislative inquiry into the controversial Rp. 6.76 trillion (US$696.28 million) bailout of Bank Century, which subsequently led to his being convicted of falsifying a document to get a loan from the bank, now renamed Bank Mutiara. He was then recalled from the House by the PKS.

 The Supreme Court later acquitted him of all charges. He is now applying to become a Golkar legislative candidate.