Golkar accepts Rahardi's resignation

JAKARTA: Golkar Party accepted on Friday former trade minister and State Logistics Agency (Bulog) chief Rahardi Ramelan's decision to leave the party.

The party's announcement came a day after Rahardi, who is a member of Golkar's advisory board, said he would resign from the party as it did not support him during his corruption trial.

Rahardi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail for misusing Bulog's funds.

"If he (Rahardi) said so (intention to resign), we can't do anything about it. It's his right," Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said.

He denied Rahardi's statement that Golkar did not provide any support for Rahardi, saying that Golkar members had always attended Rahardi's trial.

He said his party would remain solid despite Rahardi's resignation. "We have passed through similar challenges before, but our party still remains solid," he added. -- Antara