The Palace Calls Risma Has Not Submitted A Letter Of Resignation As Social Minister

Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana said Tri Rismaharini had not submitted his resignation letter as Minister of Social Affairs to President Joko Widodo to run as a candidate for governor in the East Java Pilkada

On the previous occasion, Risma confirmed that she would resign from the position of Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) to contest the 2024 East Java Regional Head Election (Pilkada) as a candidate for governor along with his candidate pair Zahrul Azhar Asumta (Gus Hans).

"Until now, Mrs. Risma has not submitted a letter of resignation as Minister of Social Affairs," Ari said in a written message received quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 30.

On the other hand, Ari emphasized that Risma has no obligation to resign as Minister of Social Affairs.

He explained that based on the provisions of the Pilkada Law, there is no obligation for a minister, ministerial-level officials, or heads of institutions who want to run as candidates for regional heads/deputy regional heads to resign from their positions.

However, according to him, Risma's decision to resign as Social Minister was a personal choice that must be respected.

"However, the decision to resign from this position is the right or personal choice concerned which deserves respect," said Ari.

The General Election Commission (KPU) of East Java Province has received the nomination documents for Tri Rismaharini and KH Zahrul Azhar Asumta (Gus Hans) as candidates for governor and deputy governor in the 2024 East Java Pilkada on Thursday.

"The PDI-P and Hanura documents related to the nomination of participants for the 2024 East Java Governor and Deputy Governor Election are complete and received by the KPU," said East Java Provincial KPU chairman Aang Kunaifi at the East Java Provincial KPU Office, Surabaya.

It is known that the couple was only promoted by two political parties, namely the PDI-P and Hanura, because the Ummat Party, which previously stated it was supportive, canceled the support.