Hamzah to resign from Cabinet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and chairman of the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) Hamzah Haz announced his
\nresignation on Sunday, citing party interests.<\/p>\n
He followed in the footsteps of Minister\/State Secretary Akbar
\nTandjung, whose resignation was approved by President B.J.
\nHabibie on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Habibie named Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
\nAffairs Feisal Tandjung to temporarily fill the post left vacant
\nby Akbar.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said he met with Habibie on Saturday night to request
\nhis approval.<\/p>\n
\"I will present my letter of resignation tomorrow (Monday),\"
\nHamzah told Antara after a meeting held by the PPP team in charge
\nof drawing up strategies to win the June 7 elections.<\/p>\n
He said he opted to give up his ministerial post in accordance
\nwith the General Elections Commission ruling, which upheld on
\nFriday a ban against state officials, including Cabinet
\nministers, from campaigning for parties contesting the
\nforthcoming polls. The campaign period will run from May 19
\nthrough June 4.<\/p>\n
PPP's other Cabinet member, State Minister of Food and
\nHorticulture A.M. Saefuddin has followed suit, but was yet to
\nmeet with Habibie.<\/p>\n
\"I will inform you of the news after I meet with the
\nPresident. But it's clear that I prefer mingling with PPP masses
\nduring the campaign period,\" Saefuddin said.<\/p>\n
Hamzah and Saefuddin, both rivals in the race for the PPP
\nchairmanship last year, are named the party's legislative
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
The KPU code of conduct says that all parties contesting the
\npolls are barred from recruiting state officials, including
\nministers, chairpersons of preeminent state institutions, such as
\nthe House of Representatives, the People's Consultative Assembly,
\nthe Supreme Audit Agency and the Supreme Advisory Body. Also
\nbarred from electoral campaigns are the chief justice and the
\nattorney general.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said he thanked Habibie for trusting him for allowing
\nhim to carry out task in the government. Hamzah also apologized
\nfor mistakes committed during nearly a year of service.<\/p>\n
He also expressed appreciation to all his ministry staff
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said he could now concentrate on his party tasks.<\/p>\n
\"If PPP wins, we will win not only ministerial posts but even
\nthe presidency. That's not impossible.\"<\/p>\n
In an address to a party gathering earlier in the day, Hamzah
\ncalled on PPP campaign speakers to focus on party programs when
\ndelivering speeches during electoral rallies.<\/p>\n
\"We want to draw people's sympathy. So never provoke them or
\ninsult other parties, Just inform the public of our party
\nplatforms,\" Hamzah said. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hamzah-to-resign-from-cabinet-1447893297",
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