Bagus BT Saragih, Sanur, Bali – The Democratic Party's extraordinary congress has appointed Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the new party chairman, replacing Anas Urbaningrum who resigned on February following the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigation that saw him as suspect of a bribery case.

Most of the congress believed that only Yudhoyono had the capability to boost the party's both image and performance ahead of the 2014 elections.

"We fully believe that is only Pak SBY who can unite the party and encourage all party elements to bounce back," head of Nangroe Aceh Darussalam's Democratic Party Warsidy Nurdin said as quoted by kompas.com.

The congress also rubber stamped Anas Urbaningrum's resignation as party chairman. Amir Syamsuddin said that the party appreciated Anas' work as party chairman from 2010. "I would like to express the party's gratitude to Anas for his service in this party until February 2013," he said.

Anas was reportedly also in Bali during the congress but according to party colleague Gede Pasek Suardika wasn't there for the congress. "He is on vacation right now," he said. (dic)