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Council accepts resignation, Jokowi waits for SBY approval
Until we meet again: President-elect and Jakarta Governor Joko âJokowiâ Widodo (right) and Jakarta Council speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) wave after the plenary meeting in which all nine council factions accepted Jokowiâs resignation
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span class="inline inline-center">Until we meet again: President-elect and Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo (right) and Jakarta Council speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) wave after the plenary meeting in which all nine council factions accepted Jokowi's resignation. JP/DON
All nine factions in the Jakarta Legislative Council accepted Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's resignation as Jakarta governor during a plenary session in the council building in Central Jakarta on Monday.
President-elect Jokowi, who tendered his resignation late last month, is set to become president on Oct. 20.
Council speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi said that the council would present the results of the plenary session to Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi, who would pass them on to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for approval.
'We will present the results to the president through the Home Minister as soon as possible so that Joko Widodo's resignation can be processed quickly,' said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician after the plenary session.
While some congratulated Jokowi and wished him luck, most affiliated with the parties of the Red-and-White Coalition regretted Jokowi's resignation, saying they wish he had committed to developing Jakarta for his full term.
Gerindra Party faction head Abdul Ghoni said that the regulation regarding the five-year tenure for elected regional heads must be made binding through an amendment.
In the same spirit, National Mandate Party (PAN) faction head Taufiqurrahman said that Jokowi's departure for the State Palace did not reflect the actions of a 'true statesman'.
However, United Development Party (PPP) faction head Ichwan Zayadi, which is part of the Red-and-White Coalition, said that his party 'loved and cared for the humble, polite, respectful, and ethical governor who has maintained political stability'.
'The PPP feels that [Jokowi's] character and attitude cannot be replaced, not even by the deputy governor [Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama],' Ichwan said.
'However, all is said and done. Therefore we cannot say anything but 'congratulations, have a good journey and good luck in serving what will be difficult duties of state.' We wholeheartedly give Governor Joko Widodo to Indonesia,' he said.
Meanwhile, Jokowi said that he would keep going to work at City Hall until the President approved his resignation letter.
Jokowi added that he respected the factions' feedback. 'This is how the process goes. This is politics,' he said.
