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rifinto, the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislator who was disgraced after he was caught watching pornography during a House plenary meeting, said he would resign on Monday.

His resignation came hours after the PKS’ central sharia council slapped him with a list of sanctions.

Arifinto resigned from the House of Representatives amid mounting calls for him to step down.

Photographs showing Arifinto looking at pornography on his tablet computer were widely circulated in the media and on the Internet, leading to an outburst of criticism of the party, which has described itself as “clean, caring and professional”.

“As a co-founder of my party, I am obligated to take responsibility for the sake of the continuity and good image of my party,” he said.

“I would also like to apologize to all PKS members and lawmakers. I will continue to reflect on my actions and work to improve the quality of my personality by seeking input from ulema, donating to the poor, and any other good gestures during my life in this world,” he said, hoping the incident would serve as a lesson for his party and other lawmakers.

Arifinto said he decided to resign “without any intervention or pressure from anybody” — despite a statement in the list of the sanctions that said the penalties were intended to convince him to “voluntarily resign from the House”.

Arifinto was also sacked from the PKS patron council, said PKS sharia council head Surahman Hidayat.

Arifinto’s decision to quit was met with appreciation.

House Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said the resignation was the best decision for everyone, including the House.

“Arifinto’s move should be appreciated since many legislators rarely take responsibility for their misdeeds. This matter really tarnished the image of the House,” he said.

House deputy speaker, Priyo Budi Santoso of the Golkar Party said Arifinto’s move was a lesson for everyone. “We have to show our appreciation.”

Yahya Zaini of the Golkar Party resigned from the House following the revelations of a sex video featuring him and singer Maria Eva in 2006.

Another sex scandal involved the PDI-P’s Max Moein, who is now standing trial in a high-profile corruption case. The House ethics council expelled Max in 2008 after pictures depicting him naked with his secretary circulated on the Internet.

Calls for the police to investigate Arifinto and charge him with the controversial 2008 Pornography Law have been mounting. The PKS has been one of the law’s strongest supporters.

Internet users said imprisoning Arifinto would be appropriate given the harsh treatment of singer Nazril “Ariel” Ilham, who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment under the 2008 Pornography Law after sex videos featuring him were leaked and circulated on the Internet.

List of sanctions:

• Recite the Koran from cover to cover within 30 days, a practice known as khatam.

• Give alms to 60 poor people.

• Ask for religious advice (tausyiah) from the sharia council as the party’s religious scholars (muftis).

• Ask for God’s mercy (istighfar) at least 100 times within 40 days.