Ministers must resign to run in election
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Cabinet ministers will have to leave office if they decide to contest the presidential election, a draft government regulation says in response to controversy on the issue.
"Ministers who run for the presidency will have to resign. The resignation will possibly take place after April," State Secretary Bambang Kesowo told a hearing with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for security and political affairs.
Later, he told the media that mandatory resignation would be required days before the direct presidential election, scheduled for July 5.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri will sign the government regulation soon, Bambang said.
He did not refer to any names in particular.
However, the public will be quick to identify Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra.
Kalla is one of Golkar's presidential aspirants, whose nomination will be decided during the party's convention in April. Golkar looks set to choose its chairman, Akbar Tandjung, if the Supreme Court acquits him from graft charges on Wednesday.
Although he has not officially announced his presidential bid, Yusril will likely be nominated by his own Crescent Star Party (PBB). Yusril has insisted he will remain in post until his official term ends in October.
Susilo has won the support of the tiny Democratic Party, chaired by Budi Santoso. Rumors have also been rife he will be nominated by the National Awakening Party (PKB). Susilo, however, has been too reticent to declare his intentions, saying he has no grassroot support from any political party.
The issue on mandatory resignation surfaced last year after Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) warned that several ministers who might run for the top executive post could undermine Megawati's government. The party said it was unethical for ministers, who are the president's aides, to challenge their boss but maintain their position.
Separately, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno confirmed on Monday that ministers would have to resign immediately after the General Elections Commission (KPU) officially announced their candidacy on May 19.
The elections law says the direct presidential election is restricted to a party or a group of parties that win 3 percent of the vote or 5 percent of voters in the general election, scheduled for April 5.
"Should these ministers stay in the Cabinet they will disrupt the performance of the government as they will focus on their campaigns," Hari said.
He said ministers would be required to discuss with the president their bid before a presidential decree was issued to suspend them.
The government regulation will be finalized next week before the President leaves for an overseas trip to Iran on Feb. 17.
Key points on campaign regulation:
- Ministers will have a maximum of four days off for campaigning, during which their duties will be handled by interim ministers.
- Ministers running for the presidency must resign after the KPU officially announces their candidacy
- The president and vice president should take alternate days off for campaigning to avoid being off at the same time.
- Campaigning must not disturb state duties