As political turmoil has damaged the party, Golkar members have begun talks to decide on the best candidate to become party chairman and speaker of the House of Representatives.

Golkar chairman and House speaker Setya Novanto, who has been detained at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detention center for his alleged involvement in the e-ID graft case, has reportedly appointed senior lawmaker Aziz Syamsuddin to replace him as House speaker.

Golkar executive Roem Kono confirmed on Sunday that Setya had declared his willingness to give up his post a House speaker and appoint Aziz, a former chairman of the House’s Commission III, which oversees security, human rights and legal affairs, to replace him.

Roem said Setya had written a letter regarding his resignation and Aziz’s appointment to Golkar factions, which was sent without informing the party’s central executive board.

Setya’s move may be categorized as illegal. According to the 2014 Legislative Institutions (MD3) Law, it is the respective faction that has the authority to appoint the House speaker. In doing so, however, the faction must wait for an order from the party’s central executive board. Meanwhile, according to Golkar’s internal regulations, all strategic decisions concerning the party should be decided by the central executive board in a plenary meeting.

“The [appointment of Aziz] is questionable. Even if the House proceeds with the letter, they can only process [Setya’s] resignation. Any decision about who is going to be House speaker should wait for a decision from Golkar’s central executive board,” Roem said.

Senior politician Bambang Soesatyo, currently Commission III chairman, has been cited as the strongest candidate to replace Setya as House speaker.

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