Mahfud alolowed to resign from cabinet: President Jokowi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, who is currently running for the vice presidential seat, is allowed to resign from the cabinet.

"Yes, it is (Mahfud's) right, and I honor it," Jokowi remarked when met after the handover of C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1344 aircraft, the Fennec Helicopter, and Panther Helicopter at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, here on Wednesday.

Mahfud's plan to resign from the Onward Indonesia Cabinet was revealed in a discussion on the "Tabrak Prof" dialogue in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday (January 23) evening.

"I actually planned to resign a long time ago since the first (presidential) debate was about to start," Mahfud remarked.

By stepping down from the ministerial position, Mahfud felt he could be more free to open and disclose data to the public, which supports his interests as a vice presidential candidate accompanying presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo.

However, he considered the ethical aspect for his planned resignation as he was appointed as coordinating minister by President Jokowi.

"I was appointed by him with great honor and with my full trust in him as president of the people," he stated.

Mahfud said he awaited the right time to resign from his position.

"I am waiting for the right timing (for resigning from the ministerial position), and with full respect to Mr. Jokowi. I will not offend anyone," he remarked.

In addition, Mahfud ensured that during his running as vice presidential candidate, he never used government facilities for campaign purposes.

"As a minister who is an (election) candidate, I do not use state facilities for campaign purposes in the slightest," he stated.