TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md officially stepped down from his post after presenting his resignation letter to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, February 1.

He claimed that the decision was made because he did not want to be in opposition to Jokowi while still being part of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet. He also wanted to avoid any possible abuse of power ahead of the presidential election, which will take place on February 14, 2024.

“I choose to stop now. This is the momentum that I have to take now,” Mahfud said in a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs’ office in Jakarta on February 1.

The former Constitutional Court chief justice had publicly announced his planned resignation days before and claimed that he had decided to step down several months ago after being named as Ganjar Pranowo's running mate in the upcoming election. However, he waited for the right moment.

Apart from Mahfud, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin also hold positions in the government while participating in the presidential race. Prabowo serves as Minister of Defense, Gibran serves as Mayor of Solo, and Cak Imin serves as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR). Will they follow Mahfud Md's footsteps?

Prabowo, Gibran, and Cak Imin

A spokesperson for the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN), Andre Rosiade, confirmed that Prabowo has no plans to resign and will continue to serve as Defense Minister. “Well, he is not violating any constitutional rules,” said Andre on February 1.

Under prevailing regulations, state officials are allowed to retain their positions while running for the election. However, they must take regular leave to campaign.

Prabowo's running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was reluctant to respond further to the call for him to resign as Solo Mayor. Previously, the PDIP faction of the Solo Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) considered the recent performance of President Jokowi’s eldest son in the city administration ineffective and inefficient as he often took leave to campaign.

As for Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin, it is not yet known whether he will resign as the DPR Deputy Speaker. After registering as a vice presidential candidate and becoming Anies Baswedan's running mate, the PKB politician said he would consider it. “I will discuss it with the DPR Speaker,” he said at his party’s office in Central Jakarta on November 3, 2023.

ANDIKA DWI | RADEN PUTRI | TIM TEMPO

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