Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) swore in Golkar Party politician Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita as social service minister to replace Idrus Marham on Friday.

Agus Gumiwang was appointed to the post of social service minister based upon presidential decree No. 148 of 2018 concerning the discharge and appointment of the social service minister during the 2014-2019 term.

In the presidential decree, the president also removed Idrus Marham as social service minister and expressed gratitude to him for his dedication to the nation and state during his term of office.

Also present at the inauguration were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Chief of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Osman Sapta Odang, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Idrus Marham submitted his letter of resignation to President Widodo earlier in the day.

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

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

Marham said the resignation was made to fulfill his responsibilities.

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

The president praised Idrus Marham`s decision to quit as social service minister, so he might devote himself to his legal case at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

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

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

Reported by Joko Susilo
Edited by Suharto, Yoseph Hariyadi

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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