REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — One of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) founders, ustaz Yusuf Supendi died at age of 60 on Friday (Aug 3). The figure who was also a prominent ulema in Bogor reportedly died at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital (RSCM), Jakarta.

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun, he (Yusuf) passed away this morning,” said PKS deputy secretary general Abdul Hakim on Friday (Aug 3).

Ustaz Hilmi Firdaus, PKS, and a number of public figures also paid condolence through their Twitter account.

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi roojiun, Ustaz Yusuf Supendi has died, may Allah SWT forgive all his sins and receive all his deeds,” Hilmi wrote in his Twitter account.

PKS Chairman Sohibul Iman counted ustaz Yusuf as a teacher to all PKS cadres despite he was no longer with the Islam-based political party. For him, ustaz Yusuf was a cleric as well as a teacher with a lot of merit, not only to the party but also the community.

"We always consider ustaz Yusuf as our teacher," Sohibul said at ustaz Yusuf's residence at Pekayon, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, on Friday (Aug 3).

PKS Chairman Sohibul Iman prays for the late Yusuf Supendi in Pekayon, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, Friday (Aug 3).

According PDIP Central Board chairman Hendrawan Supratikno, ustaz Yusuf who has been registered as lawmaker candidate from his party died from exhaustion.

“Yusuf is so enthusiastic in taking part in PDIP lawmaker candidates training, so that he is exhausted," Hendrawan said. 

PDIP secretary general Hasto Kristyanto (center) pays condolence to wife of the late Yusuf Supendi, Umi Widhiyani (in wheel chair) in Pekayon, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, Friday (Aug 3).

Yusuf along with some other prominent clerics established Justice Party (PK) in 1998. The party evolved to be PKS ahead of presidential election 2004.

Following internal conflicts, Ustaz Yusuf was fired by PKS at 2010 when he was serving as deputy chairman of PKS's Sharia Council. He then filed a legal suit against the PKS on May 2011, but it was rejected by the South Jakarta District Court.

In 2013, ustaz Yusuf joined People Conscience (Hanura) party. Ustaz Yusuf tried to propose judicial review on his dismissal on July 2018, but then decided to be lawmaker candidate through PDIP as his political move.

"He has become part of PDIP family," PDIP secretary general, Hasto Kristiyanto said in a written statement.

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