Mahfud: I am waiting for the timing to withdraw

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Vice presidential candidate number 3 Mahfud Md stated that he would resign as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) in Jokowi’s Cabinet at the right time.

“Waiting for the timing (to step down as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs). And with respect for President Pak Jokowi, so he won’t offend anyone,” said Mahfud at the ‘Tabrak Prof’ event in Semarang, Central Java, Tuesday (24/1/2024) Evening.

According to him, the resignation will be carried out amicably so that there is no conflict. The option to resign as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has been discussed with presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo.

“What Mr. Ganjar conveyed to the public this afternoon was my agreement with Mr. Ganjar from the start,” he said.

“That, at the right time, I will definitely submit my resignation in a good manner. So, there is no conflict between me and Mr. Ganjar,” he continued.

Mahfud also highlighted his statement during the final vice presidential debate at the JCC Senayan Convention Hall, Jakarta, on Sunday (21/1) where he thanked Jokowi for trusting him to carry out his duties as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

“I believe he had good intentions for the people when he appointed me as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and I helped him,” said Mahfud.

He is also willing to accompany Ganjar to advance to the 2024 presidential election because he believes that the former Governor of Central Java is a pro-people leader.

Meanwhile, he explained the reason he did not immediately resign at this time. First, there is no rule that ministers must resign from their positions if they nominate themselves as presidential/cawapres candidates.

“Previously, ministers and central officials were not prohibited. But ahead of the presidential election yesterday, the rule was added that the mayor does not have to resign,” he explained.

Second, Mahfud also guaranteed that even though he was vice presidential candidate, he would not use his facilities as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs for campaign purposes.

“I’ve been doing this for 3 months. I have never used state facilities. I still have an office at Polhukam regularly. All incoming letters will be completed in less than a week even though I am vice presidential candidate,” said Mahfud.

Then, he also said that he had asked the local government he knew not to pick him up or serve him if he came to the areas.

“I don’t want to use my position to use government facilities. What I mean is to be imitated by others. If you become a presidential or vice presidential candidate, don’t want to be picked up by local government officials. Don’t want to be accompanied or escorted. Just ask for security from the National Police,” he concluded.

Previously, presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo also admitted that he had spoken with Mahfud Md and suggested that he resign from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

“So we have discussed these issues with him so that it is fair, it is better to withdraw,” said Ganjar when met by journalists in Wongsorogo, Kaliwungu, Kendal, Central Java, Tuesday (23/1).

The Indonesian KPU has set the election campaign period from 28 November 2023 to 10 February 2024, while voting is scheduled for 14 February 2024.

The 2024 election campaign period will run from 28 November 2023 to 10 February 2024. After the campaign period, there will be a quiet period on 11-13 February. Then, the voting schedule will take place simultaneously on February 14, 2024.

source: Antara