Jusuf Hamka Resigns from Golkar, Mentions Loyalty to Airlangga Hartarto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian businessman Jusuf Hamka, also known as Babah Alun, officially resigned from his Golkar Party membership today. He submitted his resignation letter after Airlangga Hartarto announced his resignation from the position of Golkar Party General Chair.

Jusuf Hamka said his resignation was a form of support for Airlangga who had resigned earlier. "As a civilized and ethical human being, when my friend is hurt, I also feel hurt. When my friend is sad, I am definitely feel sad," he said at the office of the Golkar Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The man nicknamed the "Toll Road Boss" said that he was still in Bandung when he received news of Airlangga's resignation. When he arrived in Jakarta, Hamka explained, he just found out that Airlangga was still in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) with President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) entourage.

"I heard the news and was shocked. Suddenly I looked for him, he said he was in the IKN," he said.

Furthermore, Hamka also stated that Airlangga had not yet known about his resignation from Golkar. Because, he said, there had been no communication between him and Airlangga.

"(Resigning) without his consent and knowledge. I thought, he had resigned (from Golkar party). So, what else can I do (in the party)?" he said.

Not stopping there, Babah Alun emphasized that he would immediately contact Airlangga to discuss his resignation. He revealed that he would be loyal to Airlangga as proof of friendship.

"He is my best friend. For me, friendship is first. Loyalty is the main thing for me," he said.

Based on Tempo's monitoring, Jusuf Hamka arrived at the Golkar DPP at 10:00 and went straight to the top floor. He went down to the lobby at 10:45 after submitting a letter of resignation to the staff of the Golkar Party Secretary General Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus.

"The Secretary General has not arrived yet, he is on the way. But I want to hurry. I have other business," said Hamka before leaving the Golkar Party DPP office. He also admitted that he did not want to disrupt Lodewijk's schedule.

In the resignation letter received by Tempo, Hamka decided to leave the Golkar Party completely as of August 11, 2024. A copy of the resignation letter has also been received by Hamka. Hamka left the Golkar office at 10:50 a.m.

"(I had resigned) Completely. I am not allowed to be involved in politics anymore by my family and by my teachers," Jusuf Hamka said.

SAVERO ARISTIA W.

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