Mahfud Denies The Consideration Of Resigning Because His Task Is Taken Over By President Jokowi

Mahfud MD and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian/DOK BETWEEN MEN'S PHOTOS/IRWANSYAH PUTRA)

Mahfud MD denied the notion that he had resigned because his duties as coordinating minister were taken over directly by President Joko Widodo.

Mahfud, on the last day at the Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law and Security (Kemenko Polhukam), Jakarta, emphasized that no task was taken over by the president.

"Not really, I don't feel like that, but political judgment is outside, yes, please. That means, maybe, during this two months, the coordination of the commander (TNI), the police chief, the attorney general, and others goes directly to the president, maybe that's what Pak Hasto meant, that's okay for me," Mahfud said in response to reporters' questions reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 2.

Previously, PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto during a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday (1/2), believed that Mahfud MD's resignation as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs was because part of his function as coordinating minister was taken over by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

However, Hasto did not explain further what tasks were taken over.

Mahfud MD submitted his resignation letter as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, February 1.

Mahfud, in his letter, explained the reason for the resignation, mainly because he ran as a vice presidential candidate to accompany Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 General Election.

Mahfud explained that he decided to resign because he felt it was inappropriate to remain in President Jokowi's government but had a opposite attitude to the top leadership.

"Indeed, we talked about it, I had to step down, that's the point. Why? It's impossible for me to perform (against, ed.) the policies or actorstcalon supported by Mr. Jokowi. Then, I still continue (to serve, ed.) I'm not good," Mahfud said during a press conference at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Thursday.

Then, Mahfud while leading the last morning rally at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Jakarta, Friday morning, also explained the reason for his resignation because he did not want to be trapped in a conflict of interest.

In approximately three months, Mahfud played a double role as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and Vice Presidential Candidates.

"It turned out that after undergoing it, I was busy, sometimes there was a conflict of interest when I visited the area as a coordinating minister not as a vice presidential candidate, sometimes someone shouted at the vice president. So, (I) became uncomfortable so I had to stop walking or visit everywhere as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs," said Mahfud Md. in front of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs employees, Jakarta, Friday.

President Jokowi has issued a presidential decision to officially dismiss Mahfud MD as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. Jokowi then appointed Tito Karnavian, who is currently active as minister of the country, as acting (pllt.) of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs until there were new definitive officials.