Rachmat Yasin's Arrest Viewed as Tragedy for Party

Jakarta (Antara) - The arrest of Bogor district head Rachmat Yasin by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is a tragedy for the party, stated a PPP official. "This is a tragedy. We hope he can face it well. We do not yet know exactly what has really happened. It is in his capacity as a district head, but as a party cadre we will consider his position," United Development Party's (PPP) Associate Chairman Arwani Thomafi noted here on Thursday when asked about his opinion regarding Rachmat's arrest by the KPK on Wednesday. The KPK arrested Rachmat Yasin at his private residence on corruption charges linked to the issuance of a permit relating to the spatial order for Bogor, Puncak, and Cianjur in West Java. Before arresting Rachmat, who is also the chairman of the West Java PPP chapter, the KPK arrested the Head of the forestry service of Bogor district M. Zairin and FX Yohan in a private party held at a restaurant in Sentul, Bogor. According to Arwani, the party is waiting for further information from the KPK with regard to the case. "We are still waiting for further information," he added. The KPK is yet to decide whether Rachmat is a suspect in the case. Arwani who is also a parliament member emphasized that considering the situation, the West Java chapter must immediately take anticipatory measures to fill Rachmat's position in the face of a national leadership meeting to decide PPP's coalition stance. "I think the West Java chapter must take a decision because only a regional chapter chief is allowed to take part in the leadership meeting. So, someone must be prepared to replace Rachmat as he will not be present at the meeting," he pointed. The Islamic party has recently been shaken by an internal dispute over the party's general chairman's recent decision to coalesce with the Gerindra Party, which is considered to be against the party's rules. The party plans to soon hold a leadership meeting to resolve the issue. (*) Reporting by Muhammad Arief Iskandar