Palace: Decision To Replace Mahfud MD Prerogative Rights Of The President

Mahfud MD/DOK Kemenko Polhukam

JAKARTA - Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana said the decision on who would replace Mohammad Mahfud MD after the announcement of his resignation from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs was the prerogative of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

According to Ari, it is still too early to discuss who will later fill the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, because Mahfud has not officially submitted his resignation letter to President Jokowi.

"Yes, the Coordinating Minister (Mahfud) has not yet submitted his letter, we have already thought about a replacement. We are just waiting for the President's direction," he said when met at the State Secretariat building, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 31.

Ari explained that according to existing procedures, Mahfud's resignation from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs would only be effective after being approved by President Jokowi through the issuance of a presidential decree (keppres) for the resignation of the minister.

Furthermore, the President has the right to assign someone to be the executor of the (Plt) Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs or to immediately appoint the definitive Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

During the process, said Ari, what is more important is to ensure that the administration of the government and functions that must be carried out by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs continues as usual.

"Regarding who (Mahfud's replacement) is, whether later there will be an interim ad minister or immediately the definitive will be part of the President's decision which will be delivered soon after he accepts Pak Mahfud," he said.

Mahfud MD announced his resignation from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

The resignation is related to the 2024 presidential election contestation because Mahfud Md is a candidate for vice president number 3 to accompany presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo.

In his statement, Mahfud said the resignation letter would be delivered directly as soon as he got a schedule to meet with President Jokowi.

Mahfud estimates that the resignation letter will be submitted on Thursday (1/2).

"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 given to me immediately," he said.