Nurfika Osman and Margareth Aritonang, Jakarta – The Democratic Party (PD) has dismissed I Gede Pasek Suardika from his position as member of the House of Representatives, citing the loyalist of former PD chairman Anas Urbaningrum had tarnished the image of the party.

PD deputy chairman Max Sopacua said the dismissal was appropriate for Pasek, whom he accused of making a direct challenge to the party's current leadership.

"He is openly against us. I have seen a lot of people who are close to Anas but not open in their opposition, like Saan [Mustopa], Michael Wattimena and Umar Arsal. Friendships between them are no problem, but it is different with Pasek," Max told reporters.

The dismissal of Pasek is the culmination of a move to rid the party of Anas' loyalists. In September 2013, the PD leadership removed Saan and Pasek from their positions at the House after the two attended the launch of the Indonesian Movement Association (PPI), a mass organization founded by Anas.

Saan was removed from his position as secretary of the party's faction at the House and Pasek was fired from his position as chairman of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs.

PD faction chairperson Nurhayati Ali Assegaf said the party's central board issued a directive stating Pasek had breached the party's code of ethics and integrity pact, but she maintained the dismissal had nothing to do with Pasek's decision to serve as secretary-general of the PPI.

"We're just disappointed he often had different points of view than those of his fellow faction members," she said.

Separately, House secretary-general Winantuningtyastiti said the House secretariat had received a letter from the PD central board to dismiss Pasek. She said the House would forward the letter to the General Elections Commission (KPU) to find a replacement for Pasek.

Pasek said he had yet to receive an official letter from the PD central board about his dismissal. "I just don't understand what part of the code of ethics and integrity pact I've breached. I need to know what and where my mistakes are. People should not make a decision based on emotion," Pasek said.

He also said it was naive for the party to dismiss him only because he was close to Anas. "Political parties are regulated under the MD3 Law [on the structure and composition of legislative bodies] and there are rules and conditions where it is legal for the party to dismiss its members," Pasek said.

Pasek has publicly defended Anas since his arrest last week on Hambalang graft charges. Anas, who was charged with corruption for his alleged role in Hambalang, has been seen as a gadfly by party members due to his criticism of the party.