Indonesia's parliament speaker quit his post on Wednesday over allegations he tried to extort a stake from a US mining giant, in one of the country's biggest political scandals in years.
Setya Novanto was recorded demanding shares in the Indonesian unit of Freeport-McMoRan in exchange for extending the miner's right to operate in the country, claiming the stake would be divided between President Joko Widodo and the vice president.
The case sparked a political storm when the recording emerged several weeks ago, and has gripped Indonesia with a cast of colourful characters, including a spy-turned-company executive and a politically-connected businessman dubbed “the gasoline godfather”.
I think it's good, although a little late – he should have quit last week
Novanto had tried to hang on to the powerful speaker post despite mounting pressure, but finally opted to step down late on Wednesday as a parliamentary ethics council investigating the case was wrapping up its probe.
“It is with sincerity that I tender my resignation, I hope this is in the interest of the nation, the state and the people of Indonesia,” said his resignation letter, which was handed to the council.
The move came during the last stage of the council's investigation, when most of its members had found him guilty of a “moderate ethics violation”, and the body appeared poised to strip him of his job anyway.
The head of the council said that Novanto's resignation meant the investigation had ended.
Despite quitting as speaker, he will remain a lawmaker.