Susilo quits after open rift with Megawati

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya

The row between President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono culminated on Thursday with Susilo's resignation from the Cabinet.

"After long and deep consideration, I wrote a letter to the President a moment ago in which I asked permission to resign from the Cabinet," Susilo said during a press conference at his office.

Susilo's resignation, which came on the first day of campaigning for the April 5 legislative election, was the first resignation from Megawati's "Rainbow Cabinet".

A well-placed official told The Jakarta Post on Thursday evening that Megawati had accepted Susilo's resignation and was preparing a presidential decree on the matter.

"But she has yet to decide who will fill the vacant position," said the high-ranking official, adding that the decree may be completed as early as Friday.

Megawati herself showed little surprise to Susilo's resignation. Wearing a big smile, Megawati waved Susilo's resignation letter to journalists as she entered her official car to leave the State Palace.

"The President was informed as soon as I heard about the resignation, but she did not say anything upon hearing the news," State Secretary Bambang Kesowo said.

The rift between Megawati and Susilo came to a head on Monday when Susilo alleged the President had sidelined him in the Cabinet.

He wrote a letter to the President asking her to clarify his duties in the Cabinet and seeking a meeting.

Susilo said on Thursday he had attempted in vain several times to set up a meeting "to discuss the problems outlined in my letter".

"My relationship with the President was disrupted. It was becoming difficult to keep doing my job properly," he said.

He said he had wanted the President to explain "whether the authority and responsibility (of my office) still lies with me or whether (she) will take over and supervise those officials directly".

Susilo also said that he would remain in his post until Megawati had appointed a replacement but would not take any strategic decisions.

Susilo, 52, has set his eyes on the upcoming presidential election, with the latest surveys showing his support has risen significantly in the past few months.

Megawati, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is seeking a full five-year mandate in the country's first ever direct presidential election on July 5.

While she is still the favorite to win the presidential election, her support has waned due to the perceived poor performance of her administration.

Two other ministers -- Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra -- also have presidential ambitions, but Susilo is seen as Megawati's strongest challenger.

The Democratic Party, a small party that Susilo helped found in September 2001, has said it will back him for the presidency.

Asked whether he was ready to run for president, Susilo replied: "Yes, I am ready to run for the presidential post. As of today, the Democratic Party supports me, but I am ready to join forces with other political parties if they wish."

Later in the day, Susilo held a closed-door meeting with former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who has been nominated as a presidential candidate by the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Also attending the meeting were Lt. Gen. (ret) Luhut Pandjaitan and former Golkar secretary-general Rahmat Witoelar.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais welcomed Susilo's decision to step down, saying that resigning was better than remaining in the Cabinet without a role.

Amien, who has made known his plan to run in the presidential election, said in Surabaya, East Java, that he would wait for the right time to approach Susilo.

"I will probably talk with him (Susilo) in about two weeks," said Amien, who is also the leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Megawati and Susilo: a falling out timeline

* Feb. 18 - President Megawati Soekarnoputri holds a cabinet meeting to draft government regulations on the campaign for state officials and asks her ministers whether they will run for presidency.

* Feb. 22 - Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono goes on a week-long visit to China.

* Feb. 25 - Megawati signs Government Regulation No. 9/2004 on campaigning for state officials, and instructs officials in Susilo's ministerial office to monitor election preparations, without his knowledge.

* Feb. 28 - On arrival from China, Susilo calls his subordinates in Aceh and discovers Megawati's instructions.

* March 1 - Susilo tells the media he is being excluded from cabinet meetings on political and security affairs.

* March 2 - Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas says Susilo's reaction is childish.

* March 9 - Susilo sends a letter to Megawati, asking for clarity of his job description and a meeting with her.

* March 10 - Megawati refuses to respond to Susilo's letter.

* March 11 - Susilo tenders his resignation.