Doli Kurnia: Setya Novanto Is Still a Golkar Party Cadre

Deputy Chairman of Golkar Party, Ahmad Doli Kurnia (Nailin/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party Central Executive Board (DPP), Ahmad Doli Kurnia, stated that Setya Novanto remains a Golkar Party member. This is because Setya Novanto never submitted his resignation, nor did the Golkar Party issue a letter of dismissal after the former Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) was implicated in the e-KTP (electronic ID card) corruption case.

Doli made this statement in response to news of Setya Novanto's conditional release from Sukamiskin Penitentiary in Bandung, West Java.

"We want to emphasize that, as far as I know, Setya Novanto has never resigned or left the Golkar Party. Golkar has also never issued a letter dismissing Mr. Setya Novanto," said Doli Kurnia at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, August 19.

"So as of today, Setya Novanto is still a Golkar Party member, part of the Golkar Party family," continued the member of the Golkar faction in the DPR.

Doli is grateful that Setya Novanto has been granted conditional release and has completed his sentence. "Moreover, yesterday's parole had to meet several conditions, for example, being deemed to have served two-thirds of his sentence, having good behavior, participating in legal development programs, and so on," said Doli.

"So, procedurally, all the requirements are met, and that's how our law applies, so we respect the government's decision regarding that," he added.

Regarding Setnov's return to the Golkar Party after being released, Doli left the decision up to the former Golkar chairman.

"Whether he's active or not depends on the person concerned, on Mr. Serta Novanto himself. He's currently on parole, until 2029, so of course, there are activities that aren't as free as those of someone who isn't on parole (complete freedom, ed.)," Doli explained.

"Secondly, if you want to be active in Golkar, we've never refused anyone the opportunity to be active, especially cadres," he added.

Moreover, Doli said, Setya Novanto has previously reached the top leadership of Golkar and served as its chairman. Therefore, the banyan tree cadres would certainly welcome him back to the party if he wanted to be active again.

"The question is, where would he be active? If he wants to be active in the party, we welcome him. As long as he wants to be active in the party, where would he be? Of course, it depends on his position, his capacity, having previously served as chairman," Doli said.

"So the bottom line is, let alone the cadres themselves, if ordinary people help Golkar, and if Golkar wins, we'd be happy, especially if he's already been Golkar's chairman," he concluded.