Jakarta. Firli Bahuri, the suspended chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), was found guilty on Wednesday of violating ethics by engaging with a prominent suspect under the KPK's investigation.

The verdict was delivered during the ethics tribunal by the Oversight Council held at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta.

"Firli Bahuri has been conclusively proven to have breached ethics and the code of conduct, particularly through direct and indirect contacts with Syahrul Yasin Limpo, whose corruption case was under the purview of the KPK," Oversight Council Chairman Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean said.

Syahrul, the former agriculture minister, is currently awaiting trial over bribery charges during his tenure.

As a sanction, the council directed Firli to voluntarily resign from his leadership role.

Despite being given opportunities to defend himself, Firli failed to attend the scheduled hearings on December 8 and 20, Tumpak said. 

"The accused did not attend the ethics hearings without valid explanations although he has been served with proper summons. Consequently, it is presumed that the accused intentionally waived his rights to defend himself, and the hearings proceeded in his absence," Tumpak said.

In a parallel inquiry by the National Police, Firli was recently named a criminal suspect for purportedly extorting money from Syahrul.

Subsequently, President Joko Widodo removed Firli from the KPK chairmanship, appointing KPK Deputy Chairman Nawawi Pomolango as the interim chairman.

Firli had also submitted a resignation letter to the president; however, it was not accepted as it sought an honorable discharge.