Hamzah vows to retain post

Hamzah vows to retain post

JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz says there is no need for
him to resign to enable him to contest the presidential election
in July this year.

Citing the nature of his position, to which he was appointed
by the People's Consultative Assembly, Hamzah said there was no
moral restriction on maintaining his position while bidding for
the presidency.

"Just as the President, I was elected by the Assembly," he
said as quoted by Antara on Saturday.

Hamzah was commenting on recent remarks by Coordinating
Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, who said he would quit the Cabinet if he decided to
contest the presidential election.

Hamzah said the issue did not concern him.

"You have to remember that the ministers were appointed by the
President, so there is a big difference between me and Pak
Susilo," the Vice President said.

The country will hold its first direct presidential election
on July 5, with several names such as Susilo, Megawati, Hamzah,
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra having
been touted as among the contenders. -- Antara