Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Amid rising political tension over the Bank Century scandal, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party on Saturday replaced secretary general Marzuki Alie with noted lawyer and party functionary Amir Syamsuddin.

Party's chairman Hadi Utomo, however, was quick to dismiss rumors of a rift in the party, saying that the change was in line with party rules.

"We have a party regulation that any member holding a public position must not hold a structural party position because he may not be able to carry out both his jobs," said Hadi, insisting that Marzuki, the current speaker of the House of Representatives, had not been dismissed from the post of party secretary general.

While the change of guard was within the rights of party leaders, circumstances surrounding the replacement raised some eyebrows of political observers.

Marzuki was reportedly absent from the working meeting the party has been holding in Jakarta in recent days, though he did attend the ceremony in which he handed over his post to Amir.

The move also came after the House bowed to public pressure and set up the so-called Special Committee to investigate the controversial Bank Century bailout scandal. Rumors have begun to circulate that Marzuki was replaced because of his failure to stop the committee's formation.

Anas Urbaningrum, chairman of the Democratic Party's faction in the House, said party leaders were merely acting on Marzuki's resignation letter, though he did not say when Marzuki submitted the notification.

"Why did we chose Pak Amir? I think it's because he has integrity, is capable and is highly acceptable," Anas said.

Amir Syamsuddin, who was previously the party's chairman for legal affairs, will hold the secretary general's post until next year when the party is due to hold a congress to elect new leaders.

Hadi also acknowledged on Saturday that the party faced testing times ahead related to cases involving Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputies Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M Hamzah and the bailout scandal. "We are facing tough challenges and they are so real," Hadi said.