Antigraft activists are calling for money laundering charges against former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, following his naming as a suspect over a hajj fund graft case and the discovery of suspicious transactions in his bank accounts.

“We want SDA [Suryadharma] to be charged with money laundering,” Hifdzil Alim, a researcher with Gadjah Mada University’s Anti-Corruption Research Center, said on Tuesday, adding that it was highly suspicious that the minister’s wealth had jumped by Rp 7 billion ($604,000) over the past three years.

The researcher pointed to data collected by the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) detailing suspicious transactions made in Suryadharma’s bank accounts as further indication of the minister’s alleged guilt.

PPATK deputy chief Agus Susanto confirmed on Monday his office has submitted the report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“PPATK’s evaluation [of Suryadharma’s financial statements] points to suspicions of money laundering,” Agus said.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Ade Irawan voiced his agreement, saying the KPK should always examine the possibility of money laundering in every graft case involving politicians.

“KPK may add money laundering to the current charge of graft,” Ade said

According to the ICW official, a PPATK hajj fund report on pilgrimages purchased in 2012-2013, showed at least Rp 230 billion worth of suspicious transactions could be traced to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, pointing to Suryadharma and a number of officials in the ministry.

The ministry has managed a total of Rp 80 trillion in hajj funds since 2004, receiving some Rp 2.3 trillion in compensation every year, according to the PPATK.

The KPK has so far only charged Suryadharman with embezzlement, which could see him serving a 20-year prison term if found guilty. An additional verdict on money laundering could lock him away for another two decades.

Suryadharma resigned from cabinet on Monday, less than a week after the KPK named him a suspect in relation to allegedly misappropriating the country’s $5 billion hajj pilgrimage fund.

The PPP politician may have buckled under pressure brought on by activists and analysts who had repeatedly called for his resignation, urging him to follow the example set by former youth and sports minister, Andi Alfian Mallarangeng.

Andi announced his resignation immediately after the KPK named him a suspect in the Hambalang sport center graft case in December 2012.

“Suryadharma Ali stepped down on his own accord and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked him to submit a written resignation within a day or two,” State Secretary Sudi Silalahi told a press conference on Monday.

Suryadharma met with Yudhoyono at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, where the president urged Suryadharma to concentrate on mounting his defense against the corruption charges.

Suryadharma has denied all charges against him, insisting the matter boiled down to a misunderstanding.

“The president advised me to be strong and be prepared — being made a suspect is not the final say on the matter,” he said.

Despite the growing pile of evidence, the minister continues to dismiss the charges brought against him, while his supporters emphasized the importance presuming innocence.

However, Yudhoyono said during the weekend that the business of state could not be jeopardized by the furor surrounding the hajj scandal, leading analysts to believe the president’s comments may be a clear indication that Suryadharma’s days at the ministry were numbered.

The hajj fund is a centrally managed account comprising deposits paid by Muslims for a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims must deposit around $2,000 to be placed on a waiting list of 12 to 17 years.