31-1-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s Chief Security Minister, Mohammad Mahfud MD, has announced his intention to resign from his position. Mahfud, who is also a vice presidential candidate, stated that he would submit his resignation to President Joko Widodo once he has the opportunity to meet with him. The president is expected to be in Jakarta on Thursday. While the reason for Mahfud’s resignation was not explicitly mentioned, he expressed his desire to part ways with honor. The president’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Mahfud is currently running as the running mate of former provincial governor Ganjar Pranowo in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for February 14. Their pairing has been trailing behind other candidates, including Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and ex-Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. Despite the low position in opinion surveys, Mahfud remained committed to his decision to step down, stating that he would inform the president that he has completed his duties.
Speculation and reports in local media have also emerged regarding the potential resignation of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. However, the finance ministry has asserted that Sri Mulyani continues to fulfill her responsibilities in managing state finances.
As the world’s third-largest democracy prepares for the upcoming elections, the race for leadership remains intense. Ganjar and Mahfud’s candidacy faces an uphill battle, with Prabowo and his running mate, President Widodo’s son, leading the way. The resignation of Mahfud adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape in Indonesia.
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