KPU member tenders resignation

JAKARTA: General Elections Commission (KPU) member Mudji Sutrisno submitted on Wednesday his resignation to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"I went to the State Secretariat this morning to submit my resignation. It was followed in the afternoon by a visit to the House of Representatives for the same purpose," he said.

He said his reason for resigning was his unwillingness to give up his lecturing job. The newly endorsed election bill stipulates that all KPU members must devote their time to the commission and not hold any other position during their five-year term.

Previously, Mudji and fellow KPU member Imam B. Prasodjo announced that they would leave their posts at the KPU because of the ruling. Imam was unavailable for comment.

Most of KPU's 11 members are lecturers. They went through House screening, knowing that if they were approved for KPU positions they would be required to leave their jobs. --JP