Jokowi Values It Would Be Better If Risma Resigned

President Joko Widodo at Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Friday (30/8/2024). ANTARA/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo assessed that it would be better if Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini resigned from his ministerial position because he was running in the Pilkada in East Java.

This was conveyed by Jokowi regarding the issue that Risma would resign from her position as Minister of Social Affairs because she was running as a candidate for governor of East Java.

"Yes, it's better (if you resign), but if you don't, the rules are okay to allow it," said Jokowi after inaugurating the Mother and Child Health Respiration building at the Friendship Hospital, in Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 30.

He admitted that he had received Risma at the Palace Friday morning.

According to him, during the meeting Risma reported his candidacy for governorship in East Java Province.

Jokowi stated that he allowed Risma to run in the regional elections.

"Yes, I allow it," he explained.

Separately, 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.

Risma ensured 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," said Ari via text message in Jakarta, Friday.

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.