This is different from when SBY resigned from the Megawati cabinet."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A presidential aide has expressed regret over Gita Wirjawans decision to quit as trade minister.
"I have no idea about SBYs (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) decision as this is his personal prerogative and in accordance with the constitution. But personally, I regret Gita Wirjawans decision to resign from the cabinet, particularly if the main reason is to be nominated as a presidential candidate," said Heru Lelono, the Presidents special aide for information and public relations, here on Saturday.
Being a close ally of President Yudhoyono and a non-political party member appointed to the post of trade minister, he had been expected to continue in his post until the president ended his term in office, he added.
"This is different from when SBY resigned from the Megawati cabinet. The president then was uncomfortable with SBY as her minister. In fact, SBY was not invited to important events, such as cabinet meetings," he pointed out.
Gita justified his decision on Friday to resign from the ministerial post, effective February 1, by saying that he wanted to focus on the presidential convention of the Democratic Party (PD).
He noted that he is fully aware there could be a major conflict of interest if he still held the ministerial post, while focusing on the presidential convention.
He remarked that his decision to resign is in the interest of Indonesia, as well as a step toward becoming a candidate in Indonesias upcoming presidential election.
Gita is one of the 11 participants in the PD presidential convention. The other participants of the convention include State-owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, House Speaker Marzuki Alie, and Paramadina Universitys Rector, Anies Baswedan.
(Reporting by Muhammad Arief Iskandar/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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