Margareth S. Aritonang and Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The resignation of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's second son, Edhie Baskoro "Ibas" Yudhoyono, from the House of Representatives on Thursday has fueled speculation of a possible attempt by the first family to seize control of the ruling Democratic Party.
Ibas said he had to resign from the House to focus on doing his job as the party's secretary-general. "I hereby announce my resignation as a lawmaker to focus all of my time and energy on the Democratic Party," Ibas told a press conference at the party faction's office at the House.
"There is no way I can carry out my duties as a lawmaker while at the same time serving as the secretary-general of the Democratic Party. I hope I can save the party from sinking ahead of the 2014 elections."
Two days before tendering his resignation, Ibas was caught on camera skipping a House plenary meeting after he signed the attendance list. The incident drew criticism from the public and fellow lawmakers and came as the first family is the subject of even closer than usual scrutiny following the leak of the family's tax returns.
President Yudhoyono said the initiative to resign came from Ibas himself after discussing it with family members, including First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and the family's eldest son Agus Harimurti on Wednesday evening.
Yudhoyono said the decision was not easy, but necessary following recent media reports on Ibas' absence from a House meeting. "I may be subjective, but as a father I am proud of Ibas for taking responsibility [by resigning]," Yudhoyono said.
While the President cited the incident as the pretext for Ibas' resignation, speculation has arisen as to whether it paves the way for Ibas to act as interim party chairman, should Anas be charged by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) or removed by the national congress.
Democratic Party lawmaker Ruhut Sitompul suggested some three weeks ago that Ibas would be chosen to lead the party should Anas fall from grace. Ibas may only lead the party until Yudhoyono's in-law Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, the Army chief of staff, retires from the military in June.
Anas has refused to heed calls for him to resign and focus on extricating himself from his legal quagmire, saying that he is still the chairman of the party and will continue to do his duties, even though the President, as chairman of the party's general assembly, has told him that he is no longer in charge.
On Thursday, Anas finally signed the integrity pact required by the party assembly to try to salvage the party, a move seen as showing the pressure he is under.
The integrity pact, the President's idea, includes a pledge that the signatory is willing to resign from the party at all levels if named a suspect for any criminal act including corruption, drug abuse and terrorism.
Anas, as the deputy head of the party's general assembly, should have signed the pact along with other assembly members at Yudhoyono's residence in Cikeas last Sunday. According to the President, Anas failed to show up in Cikeas because he was ill.
Party patron Amir Syamsudin revealed that Anas has not signed the mandate to launch the so-called "the initiative to save the party" that allows Yudhoyono, as assembly chairman, to take over some of Anas' responsibilities as party chairman.
"Anas was present when the assembly came up with the 8-point party salvation plan in Cikeas on Friday but refused to sign it," Amir, also the Law and Human Rights minister, said. Amir did not know the reason behind Anas' refusal.