Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has praised Idrus Marham`s decision to quit as social service minister, saying he needs to focus on his legal case before the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"I must tell the truth. I appreciate Mr. Idrus Marham`s commitment to face his legal case," the president said, after swearing in Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita as social service minister to replace Idrus Marham at the State Palace here on Friday.

The president said he received Idrus Marham, who submitted his letter of resignation on Friday afternoon.

"Mr. Idrus Marham wants to focus on his legal case at the KPK," he said.

Shortly after receiving the letter of resignation from Idrus Marham, the president said he decided to replace him with Agus Gumiwang.

"That`s why we immediately decided on his replacement and I asked the chairman of the Golkar Party, Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, to appoint Agus Gumiwang as social service minister," he said.

Idrus Marham submitted his letter of resignation to President Widodo here on Friday.

"Today, at 10:30 a.m. local time, I met the president. I did it after I received a notification about my investigation yesterday," Marham said, at the Presidential Palace compounds here.

Based on the notification, Marham stated that he had to meet the president to submit his letter of resignation.

He said he had decided to resign based upon several considerations, including protecting the honor of the president, known as a leader who has a good reputation and high commitment to eradicating corruption throughout the country.

Reported by Joko Susilo
Edited by Suharto, Yoseph Hariyadi

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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