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Pre-trial win bolsters Setya’s supporters
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Gearing up: Chairman of Golkar's board of experts Agung Laksono (left), deputy chairman of Golkar honorary board Akbar Tandjung (second left) and former chairman Aburizal Bakrie (second right) accompany Golkar chairman Setya Novanto during the opening of the party's national leadership meeting (Rapimnas) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Monday. (Antara/M.Agung Rajasa)
L
oyalists of Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto have indicated they would fight against any moves to unseat their leader after a Jakarta district court ruled that his naming as a graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was illegal.
Calls for Setya’s resignation mounted days before the court’s ruling on Friday. Factions opposed to Setya’s leadership within Golkar argued that his legal problem had taken a toll on the party’s electability, saying Setya had to resign to save the party.
Party secretary-general Idrus Marham, a close ally of Setya, said that the party respected its members’ aspirations but that there was no need for the party to replace Setya as he had won a pre-trial lawsuit against the KPK.
"What is the urgency for the party [to appoint an acting chairman]? The party has no problem now after Setya won the pretrial motion,” Idrus said at the party headquarters.
The Golkar executive board was supposed to hold a plenary meeting on Monday to hear Setya's response to a recommendation made by a special team within the party that Setya be suspended from his position to focus on his legal problems and health issues.
Golkar deputy secretary-general Ace Hasan Syadzily said it was now unclear if the executive board would hold the plenary meeting as scheduled.
Setya has been accused of playing a key role in the high-profile e-ID graft case, which has also implicated other former and active members of the House of Representatives. (ary)
