This is an example of a state official who has political ethics."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has received the letter of resignation by Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan.
While accepting the resignation, the president asked the trade minister to continue in his post until a successor is appointed.
"The president has received the letter and has accepted the resignation. This is an example of a state official who has political ethics," Minister and State Secretary Sudi Silalahi told a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Saturday.
Minister Sudi asserted that the president would, in the near future, appoint Gitas successor after consulting with Vice President Boediono.
"The president will officially announce the resignation of Gita Wirjawan, as well as the appointment of his successor, in the near future. Although Gita Wirjawan resigned on January 31, he has been requested to continue in his post until a successor is found," Silalahi stated.
When asked whether Gita had informed the president in 2013 about his intention to resign, Silalahi answered that no such communication had taken place.
"It is possible, however, that Gita had communicated to the president about this issue. The president, of course, understands that the trade minister still has several tasks to accomplish," Silalahi added.
In his resignation letter to the president, copies of which were distributed to journalists, Gita said his resignation is based on the awareness of the potential major conflict of interest if he is involved in the political process of the Democratic Party (PD) presidential convention, while continuing as trade minister.
Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan announced his resignation from the Indonesian cabinet on Friday. He said that he wanted to focus on becoming a presidential candidate in this years election.
"I am resigning from my position, effective February 1, 2014," Gita said in Jakarta.
Gita added that he wanted to focus on politics going forward, and cited his participation in the Democratic Partys presidential convention, which is the partys internal mechanism to select its presidential nominee for the 2014 election.
Gita Wirjawan is one of the 11 participants in the presidential convention, along with State-owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, Chairman of the House of Representatives Marzuki Alie and former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal.
House Speaker Marzuki Ali also lauded Gitas decision to resign in favour of focusing on the PD convention.
"I appreciate his decision to concentrate on the presidential convention," Marzuki Alie remarked on Friday.
Marzuki Alie emphasized that he had tremendous respect and appreciation for Gitas decision, since it showed that he wanted to concentrate on the convention and not get bogged down by the responsibilities of leading the trade ministry. So, he chose to resign and focus on the convention to increase his chances of nomination.
Gitas step to resign from the ministerial post has been appreciated by the PD, which is the ruling party. According to PD spokesman Ikhsan Modjo, the PD respects his decision and understands Gita Wirjawans decision to resign.
"This is an ethical consequence of his decision to participate in the PD presidential convention for the 2014-2019 presidential election," noted Ikhsan.
Ikhsan expressed his confidence that President Yudhoyono, as the chairman of the PD, will take the necessary steps with regard to the latest developments.
The PD spokesman stated that his party had expressed its gratitude for the services rendered by Gita to the nation and the state. The PD also wished him success in all his future endeavors.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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