Jakarta – The House of Representatives has officially suspended Democratic Party politician Angelina Sondakh from her position as lawmaker.

Deputy chairman of the House Ethics Council Siswono Yudhohusodo said in his report to a plenary session on Tuesday that Angelina was suspended because she is now a defendant in a graft case.

The former Democratic Party deputy secretary-general was named a suspect on Feb. 3 in a graft case surrounding the construction of the SEA Games athletes' village in South Sumatra. She was also named a suspect in a case related to fraudulent budget allocations for the Education and Culture Ministry.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) charged Angelina with accepting gratuities or bribes, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a Rp 1 billion (US$105,367) fine. According to the testimony of graft convict M. Nazaruddin, Angelina accepted billions of rupiah in kickbacks in both projects.