JAKARTA. Democratic Party chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was reportedly “greatly angered” by a plan formulated by his party's board to assign troubled cadre Angelina Sondakh to the House of Representatives' law commission from the budget commission amid legal woes Angelina is facing as a suspect in a bribery case centering on the development of the 2011 SEA Games athlete's village in Palembang.

“SBY was very angry upon hearing the information yesterday that Angelina will be transferred to the Commission III [overseeing legal affairs],” said the Democratic Party secretary Andi Mallarangeng on the sidelines of the general assembly of the ASEAN Law Association in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday.

Andi referred to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Andi added that Yudhoyono had instructed the party's chairman Anas Urbaningrum and the head of the party faction in the House, Jafar Hafsah, to cancel Angelina's transfer.

“It is improper that Angelina, who is currently facing a legal suit, be assigned to the law commission,” said Andi, who is also the youth and sports minister.

Angelina, whose name was already on the list of the Democratic Party lawmakers attending a hearing in the law commission, failed to show up at the commission's meeting.

Democratic Party faction secretary Saan Mustopa confirmed that his faction had cancelled Angelina's transfer to the law commission.

“Angelina will remain assigned to the sports commission,” Saan said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission has declared Angelina a suspect early this month for her alleged key role in rigging the SEA Games tender. (fzm/dmr/ The Jakarta Post)

Editor: