Resigning From Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs 2 Weeks Before The Election, Mahfud: This Is A Matter Of Choice

Mahfud MD/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

Mahfud MD officially resigned from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) by submitting his resignation letter to President Joko Widodo today.

The candidate for vice president number 3 explained the reason he decided to resign two weeks before the voting day for the 2024 General Election.

"This is a matter of choice. If in the past, people could be disappointed because the rules (presidential and vice-presidential candidates) may (continue to serve as ministers), other people may. If you step down now, someone will say 'how come it's only now?' If you continue (to serve) there must also be a question," Mahfud said at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Central Jakarta, Thursday, February 1.

Mahfud realized that there would always be parties who questioned when the momentum of resignation would take place after the announcement of the plan to withdraw from the cabinet he launched on February 23.

"That's normal in politics, because our heads (in Indonesia) are 270 million heads. They can have different opinions. Rapi, I have stated, I chose to stop now. This is a momentum that I have to take now," said Mahfud.

In addition, Mahfud also revealed that the contents of his resignation letter to Jokowi contained only three paragraphs. The first paragraph, Mahfud, expressed his gratitude to Jokowi who trusted him to carry out Jabayan since October 23, 2019.

The second paragraph, Mahfud explained the reason for withdrawing to Jokowi. "Secondly, because I am now participating in a political contestation to continue the national leadership relay that must continue, I beg you to stop," said Mahfud.

The third paragraph, Mahfud, apologizes to Jokowi if there are shortcomings that are not pleasing to Jokowi while in government.

"He was also happy during the meeting, he joked a lot, I also smiled a lot, was happy, yes like an old friend, lah," concluded Mahfud.