Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Amid mounting criticism, Azirwan, a former graft convict who now heads a government agency in Riau Islands province, tendered his resignation to the province's governor, Muhammad Sani, an official said on Monday.

"The Riau Islands governor has just reported to Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi that he had received Azirwan's resignation," Home Ministry spokesman Reydonnyzar Moenek said in a text message to journalists.

Reydonnyzar added that the minister approved the resignation and asked the governor to prepare Azirwan's replacement as head of the Riau Islands Maritime Resources and Fishery Agency within three days.

Azirwan, the former secretary of the Bintan regental administration, was jailed for bribing lawmaker Amin Nasution at a hotel in Jakarta in March 2008. Azirwan bribed the politician to gain approval for the conversion of an 8,000 hectare protected forest in Bintan into a business zone.

The total bribe paid by the Bintan administration to the House, through Amin, was Rp 4 billion (US$416,448). Azirwan was sentenced to two-and-a-half-years in prison on Sept. 1, 2009, but was released mid-2010.

Soon after being released, Azirwan was appointed chief commissioner of the Bintan Enterprises Agency.

On March 9 this year, Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani appointed him interim head of the Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fishery Office. He was sworn in as head of the agency on Sept. 24.

The promotion sparked public outcry, with anti-corruption activists saying it sent the wrong message about corruption. (lfr)