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)