Yashinto Sembiring & Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – Setya Novanto staged a press conference at his home on Wednesday night where he finally spoke in public about his decision to resign as speaker of the House of Representatives.

"I would like to apologize to the entire people of Indonesia for the [way in which] I have performed. All [of what I did] was for the people of Indonesia," he said.

Setya said his resignation was in the best interest of the nation and the House of Representatives, adding that he would remain committed to his job as a lawmaker.

The resignation came just before the House Ethics Council was due to deliver its verdict on Wednesday evening, with 15 of the 17 council members concluding that Setya, along with his alleged private-sector associate, oilman Muhammad Riza Chalid, had broken the House's ethics code by secretly organizing two private meetings between May and June with Freeport Indonesia chief executive Maroef Sjamsoeddin.

During the June meeting, Setya and Riza allegedly promised to expedite the negotiation process for Freeport Indonesia's contract extension from 2019 – in exchange for a 20 percent stake in the Papua-based gold and copper miner.

With the resignation submitted, the Ethics Council decided to not read out its verdict. "I have been observing everything, the development of the situation," Setya said. "As we all know, the Ethics Council has performed its duties well. And I respect them."

Earlier this year, before the Freeport shakedown scandal hit the news, Setya already was the topic of negative publicity over his appearance at a campaign event for US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/disgraced-setya-apologizes-people-indonesia/