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AKARTA: The chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) ethics board, Ferry F.X. Tinggogoy, says he wants Farhan Hamid, a fellow DPD member, to "be a gentleman" and step down from his deputy chairman post at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"I am not talking as the ethics board chairman, but as a member of the DPD.

"I wish our differences with Pak Farhan can be settled outside the board.

"Pak Farhan should act a true statesman and step down from his post.

"He does not officially represent the MPR," Ferry told The Jakarta Post from his office in Jakarta on Thursday.

Farhan's election on Saturday sparked controversy because he ran without the blessing of the DPD, which favored either Achsa Machmud or Djan Farid instead.

Farhan, originally from the National Mandate Party (PAN), was supported in his bid by the PAN legislators at the House of Representatives.