JAKARTA. Graft suspect Sutan Bhatoegana said that he would soon resign from his position as a member of the Democratic Party’s central board.

“We have this integrity pact that says a graft suspect should resign. This is still in process, but I am ready to resign to demonstrate my responsibility,” Sutan said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Sutan, however, said that he would not resign from his position as chairman of House of Representatives Commission VII, which oversees energy and mineral resources.

“If I resign now I would still get a salary. And people who just sit around and get paid are the definition of corruption,” Sutan said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in early May declared Sutan a suspect for allegedly accepting bribes from officials of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) and several oil and gas companies.

Sutan is said to have accepted US$200,000 in bribes from Rudi Rubiandini, former SKKMigas chief, in February via Commission VII member Tri Yulianto.

Editor: Asnil Amri