House of Representatives deputy speaker Fadli Zon has been elected as president of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), replacing Mexican lawmaker Garcia Cervantes.

"I was elected by acclamation," said Fadli on Thursday as quoted by tempo.co.

According to Fadli, the decision was made after a three hour board meeting, which was attended by several regional representatives including some from Africa, Latin America, East Asia, Oceania and North America.

In addition to Fadli, the GOPAC board of directors also elected lawmaker Paulo Berto from Latin America and Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu from Ghana as vice presidents and John Hyde from Australia as secretary.

Fadli said that following the decision Indonesia would establish a satellite office at the House secretariat general.

The Canada-based GOPAC, which brings together around 170 lawmakers and 400 observers from more than 50 countries, was established in 2002.

The organization aims to assist in the development of key anti-corruption legislation including laws on freedom of information, conflict of interest, illicit enrichment, rules governing conduct of civil servants, money laundering, asset recovery, protection of whistle blowers and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) implementation and monitoring. (kes)(++++)