Medikantyo Adhikresna, Jakarta – Firli Bahuri, who was recently removed from the chairmanship of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) amid extortion allegations, said Thursday he is resigning from the commission.

The president had earlier appointed KPK Deputy Chairman Nawawi Pomolango as interim chairman after Firli was named a criminal suspect in the ongoing police investigation.

Firli is accused of extorting then-Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo who is now a corruption suspect in a separate investigation led by the KPK.

Firli's attempt to challenge his designation as a suspect was turned down by a judge at the South Jakarta District Court. He is also being tried by the KPK's oversight council for alleged ethics violations.

"I withdraw from my duties as the KPK chairman and will not seek an extension of my tenure," Firli told reporters in front of the KPK building in Jakarta.

He said he had tendered his resignation to President Joko Widodo and confirmed his resignation to members of the oversight council who interrogated him earlier in the day.

Firli, 60, had served with the National Police before he was elected as the KPK chairman by the House of Representatives on Dec. 20, 2019, for a four-year term. On Wednesday, the president extended the tenure of all KPK commissioners by another year.

Firli reached retirement age as a police commissioner general two years ago.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/embattled-firli-bahuri-resigns-from-kp