REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Political observers predict the arrest of Chairman of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, will affect the votes for the party in the upcoming General Election 2014. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Ishaaq as the suspect in graft case involving imported meat.

"It is hard for PKS to be number one," political analyst from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Ari Dwipayana, said on Thursday.

He said PKS probability to be the three biggest party in 2014 General Election was thin as public may associate the cadres involved in corruption cases with their party. PKS will need long time to regain public trust.

Director of Indonesian Madani Circle (LIMA), Ray Rangkuti, predicted that PKS, modern party with good organization and administration, would keep solid. Meanwhile, political observer from Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Gun Gun Heryanto, said elite PKS could do more to save the party's reputation, such as explaining Ishaaq position in graft case to PKS members. PKS Consultative Council is also expected to take some maneuvers to save the party's institution.

Heryanto suggested the Consultative Council to replace Ishaaq position as the chairman. Ishaaq must also apologize to people and resign from his position. 

Ishaaq announced on Thursday in KPK headquarter that he resigned from his position as the chairman. "I submit my resignation today to PKS Consultative Council," he said.

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