Suryadharma Ali Explained

Suryadharma Ali
Office:21nd Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia
Term Start1:22 October 2009
Term End1:28 May 2014
President1:Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Predecessor1:Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni
Successor1:Agung Laksono (acting)
Lukman Hakim Saifuddin
Order2:Leader of the United Development Party
Term Start2:3 February 2007
Term End2:16 October 2014
Predecessor2:Hamzah Haz
Successor2:Muhammad Romahurmuziy
Birth Date:19 September 1956
Birth Place:Jakarta, Indonesia
Party:PPP
Spouse:Wardatul Asriah
Children:Kartika Yudistira Suryadharma
Sherlita Nabila Suryadharma
Abdurrahman Sagara Prakasa
Nadia Jesica Nurul Wardani
Alma Mater:Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta
Profession:Politician

Suryadharma Ali (born 19 September 1956) is an Indonesian politician who was the president of the United Development Party from 2007 to 2014 as well as Minister of Religious Affairs from 2009 to 2014 under then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

During his time in office Suryadharma was seen as a religious traditionalists who was often unwilling to compromise on issues.[1] As religious affairs minister Suryadharma was unwilling to extend government recognition to the Baháʼí Faith, a minority group in the country.[1]

In May 2014 Suryadharma was indicted in a corruption scandal involving illicit use of funds intended for the hajj. In 2018 Suryadharma was convicted and ordered to pay 27 billion RS to the state. He was sentenced for 6 years in jail and fined 300 million rupiah.[2] Shortly after being accused in 2014 Suryadharma resigned as minister of religious affairs.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Alexander R. Arifianto, Indonesian Islamic Parties After the 2014 Elections. Taken from ISEAS Perspective: Watching the Indonesian Elections 2014, pg. 129. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2015.
  2. Web site: Suryadharma gets 6 years for haj scam. 2020-10-04. The Jakarta Post. en. 8 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008161715/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/12/suryadharma-gets-6-years-haj-scam.html. live.
  3. Web site: Suryadharma Ali Pakai Putusan MK untuk Bukti di Sidang PK. Yulida Medistiara. Detick News. 2 July 2018. 3 May 2019. Indonesian. 29 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329090047/https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4093914/suryadharma-ali-pakai-putusan-mk-untuk-bukti-di-sidang-pk. live.