Hamzah to resign from Cabinet
Hamzah to resign from Cabinet
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and chairman of the
United Development Party (PPP) Hamzah Haz announced his
resignation on Sunday, citing party interests.
He followed in the footsteps of Minister/State Secretary Akbar
Tandjung, whose resignation was approved by President B.J.
Habibie on Saturday.
Habibie named Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Feisal Tandjung to temporarily fill the post left vacant
by Akbar.
Hamzah said he met with Habibie on Saturday night to request
his approval.
"I will present my letter of resignation tomorrow (Monday),"
Hamzah told Antara after a meeting held by the PPP team in charge
of drawing up strategies to win the June 7 elections.
He said he opted to give up his ministerial post in accordance
with the General Elections Commission ruling, which upheld on
Friday a ban against state officials, including Cabinet
ministers, from campaigning for parties contesting the
forthcoming polls. The campaign period will run from May 19
through June 4.
PPP's other Cabinet member, State Minister of Food and
Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin has followed suit, but was yet to
meet with Habibie.
"I will inform you of the news after I meet with the
President. But it's clear that I prefer mingling with PPP masses
during the campaign period," Saefuddin said.
Hamzah and Saefuddin, both rivals in the race for the PPP
chairmanship last year, are named the party's legislative
candidates.
The KPU code of conduct says that all parties contesting the
polls are barred from recruiting state officials, including
ministers, chairpersons of preeminent state institutions, such as
the House of Representatives, the People's Consultative Assembly,
the Supreme Audit Agency and the Supreme Advisory Body. Also
barred from electoral campaigns are the chief justice and the
attorney general.
Hamzah said he thanked Habibie for trusting him for allowing
him to carry out task in the government. Hamzah also apologized
for mistakes committed during nearly a year of service.
He also expressed appreciation to all his ministry staff
members.
Hamzah said he could now concentrate on his party tasks.
"If PPP wins, we will win not only ministerial posts but even
the presidency. That's not impossible."
In an address to a party gathering earlier in the day, Hamzah
called on PPP campaign speakers to focus on party programs when
delivering speeches during electoral rallies.
"We want to draw people's sympathy. So never provoke them or
insult other parties, Just inform the public of our party
platforms," Hamzah said. (amd)