Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) submitted his resignation as Jakarta governor a day after withdrawing his appeal against the verdict, according to Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

"Ahoks status has been inactive, temporarily suspended under Presidential Decree No. 56 of 2017 dated May 12, 2017. On May 23, 2017, Ahok submitted his resignation to the president as the governor of Jakarta, one day after the revocation of the appeal," Kumolo noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He stated that Ahok had to be discharged permanently and his deputy Djarot Saiful Hidayat has replaced him as the definitive governor.

"The vacant vice governors position is not being filled, as less than 18 months of the term is remaining," Kumolo remarked.

Kumolo, the former secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, conveyed the news on Ahoks administrative discharge, pending a letter from the Jakarta High Court to justify his appeal.

Ahok, who is currently in detention, has decided to revoke his appeal against the courts sentence of two years imprisonment in a blasphemy case.

His lawyer, I. Wayan Sudirta, informed Antara that Ahoks family has, through his wife, Veronica Tan, revoked the appeal.

"The information is true. His family revoked it," Sudirta said.

Tan had discussed with Ahoks lawyers, and following some considerations and study, they decided to revoke the appeal.

Sudirta pointed out that the decision was the best possible one to be finally taken by his clients family although they were disappointed by the verdict that they considered as unjust.

Sudirta noted that at 2:30 p.m. local time on Monday, he along with three other lawyers came to the North Jakarta court, and not long after, family members of Ahok arrived, informing that they would revoke the appeal.

"The reason will be formally announced on Tuesday," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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