Democratic Party (PD) secretary-general Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, who is also the son of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has stepped down as a member of the House of Representatives to focus on party matters.

“I have officially resigned as a member of the House of Representatives.

“I will focus my attention on carrying out my duty as PD secretary-general which will soon take up a lot of time and energy. If I remain in the House of Representatives, it will not go well,” said Edhie, who is also known as Ibas, when announcing his decision to the media in Jakarta yesterday.

The Democratic Party, the ruling party founded by Susilo, now faces a tough test after two of the party’s senior officers, who are also former members of the House of Representatives, were sentenced to jail and fined for corruption.

Another former senior officer, former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, faces a corruption case involving a sports complex construction project in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.

Andi, who was alleged by the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a suspect in the case, resigned from his Cabinet post recently, to give full attention to the case.

In a media statement yesterday, Ibas said he needed to work hard to save the Democratic Party.

Commenting on Ibas’ decision yesterday evening, Susilo expressed pride in his son over his courage to step down, following news of his absence at a sitting recently.

“I may be subjective, but as a father, I am proud of how responsible Ibas is, and apologise for his absence, several days ago,” he said.

Susilo, who is the Democratic Party’s chief patron, said he was behind Ibas on the decision.

The Indonesian president said Ibas had previously informed him and family members of his wish to step down, a decision which the family respected after the matter was discussed.

- Bernama