"I sent my resignation letter as ambassador to the United States and as a civil servant to the President before I came here (Darunnajah Islamic Boarding school)," Dino said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal has tendered his resignation to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, since he is participating in the ruling Democrat Party (PD) presidential candidate convention.

"I sent my resignation letter as ambassador to the United States and as a civil servant to the President before I came here (Darunnajah Islamic Boarding school)," Dino said after giving a general lecture to boarding school students here on Tuesday.

He also said it is up to President Yudhoyono to decide his status as ambassador and as a civil servant.

"I decide to resign from the ambassadorial post so I can follow all stages that have to be passed in the presidential candidate convention process. The president has received my letter of resignation," he added.

Further, he was reluctant to comment on Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and State-owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan, who have not indicated their intention to resign from their ministerial posts.

"I have no comment on Minister Gita Wirjawan and Minister Dahlan Iskan," he added.

In the meantime, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Laode Ida urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to temporarily suspend or replace Gita Wirjawan and Dahlan Isikan.

"The President must temporarily suspend or replace two of his ministers who will take part in the Democratic Party (PD) presidential candidate convention, namely Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and State-owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan," Laode said here on Tuesday.

He added that he appreciated the step taken by the PD to offer a chance to outsiders considered qualified to participate in its presidential candidate convention.

However, the PD, especially President Yudhoyono who is the general chairman of the ruling party, and the convention participants, should provide a good example to the public.

Laode urged Yudhoyono to allow those seeking the presidential nomination onto the `battle` stage so they could actively campaign for the position as the presidential candidate for the ruling party in next year`s presidential race.

Further, he said Yudhoyono could ask the State Audit Board (BPK) to temporarily suspend or replace Ali Maskur Musa as a BPK member, because he has also joined the convention.

He said, however, that the two economic ministers should focus on their professional duties during the country`s current unfavorable economic period, and deal with the rupiah depreciation and problems with imports of basic commodities.

The Democrat Party formally announced on Sunday evening that 11 participants would compete in the party`s convention to become the party`s presidential candidate in next year`s election.

The eleven participants are Ali Masykur Musa (member of the State Audit Board), Marzuki Alie (House Speaker), Pramono Edhie Wibowo (former army chief of staff), Irman Gusman (chairman of the Regional Representatives Council), Hayono Isman (parliament member and former minister), Anies Rasyid Baswedan (university rector), Sinyo Harry Sarundajang (provincial governor), Edriartono Sutarto (former defense forces commander), Gita Wirjawan (current trade minister), Dino Patti Djalal (current ambassador to US) and Dahlan Iskan (current state enterprises minister).(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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