Jakarta – Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie has reportedly sacked the party's deputy chairman, Agung Laksono. Among factors touted as main reasons for the latter's dismissal are his criticism of the party chairman and his demands for Golkar to hold a national meeting (Munas) in 2014.

Information on the dismissal came from senior Golkar politician Zainal Bintang, who claimed to have confirmed the issue with Agung on Saturday.

"Agung has been dismissed from his position as Golkar deputy chairman. I heard this directly from Agung last night. I phoned him," Zainal said as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday.

He added that Agung had not yet received his dismissal letter as he was out of Jakarta carrying out duties in his capacity as Coordinating People's Welfare Minister. "[Agung] is in Papua. He said he was fired without being consulted first," Zainal said.

Zainal suspected that among the factors that might have triggered Agung's dismissal was his strong criticism of Aburizal's decision to bring Golkar into a Gerindra Party-led coalition that supported the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa ticket's presidential bid.

Agung is among the Golkar politicians who have called for a national meeting in 2014.

Internal conflict has been rife in the party since it failed to secure a victory in the legislative election on April 9. Many senior Golkar politicians are said to be disappointed with Aburizal's political maneuvering. A number of party members who have challenged Aburizal's moves have reportedly been threatened with dismissal. (dyl/ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/10/agung-laksono-fired-golkar-deputy-chairman.html