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