Mahfud Resigns From Jokowi's Minister, Trade Minister Ensures Cabinet Remains Solid

The Minister of Trade and Chairman of PAN Zulkifli Hasan gave a statement to reporters in Solo, Central Java, Wednesday (31/1/2024). BETWEEN/Aris Wasita

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) ensured that the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet under the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remained solid. "It's very solid, if the minister is different, right," he said during a working visit in Solo, Central Java, Wednesday, January 31, which was confiscated by Antara. He said differences of opinion between ministries were common because they came from various backgrounds, including politics. "The minister is from many parties, it's normal," he said. Asked about the plan of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD to resign from office, Zulhas considered this to be the right of the person concerned. "That's everyone's right," he said.

Previously, Mahfud MD, who is also a candidate for vice president (cawapres) number 3, would directly submit his resignation letter as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to President Joko Widodo. "I will report, I am finished," he said. Mahfud estimates that his resignation letter will be submitted on Thursday, February 1. "And this letter will be submitted as soon as I get a schedule to meet with the President (Jokowi), but I will continue to bring it because this letter was once I was given the direct time I submitted this letter," he said. He also said that his resignation from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs had been agreed with the presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo and the entire political party that carried the candidate pair Ganjar-Mahfud.