Rustam handed in his resignation letter to the Jakarta Employment Agency (BKD) on Monday, BKD head Agus Suradika said, adding that Rustam did not provide a specific reason for his decision.

Ahok slammed Rustam last week over his alleged negligence in supervising water pumps in North Jakarta leading to severe flooding in several areas such as Ancol in North Jakarta and Gunung Sahari in Central Jakarta. Ahok also slammed Rustam for not carrying out eviction programs in the Pasar Ikan area as planned by the city administration.

The outspoken governor even accused Rustam of conspiring with former legal and human rights minister and potential candidate for governor Yusril Ihza Mahendra to block the city administration's programs.

The accusation was a joke and it was not meant as an attack on Rustam, Ahok said on Monday, claiming that during the meeting all other officials laughed understanding that it was only a joke.

Prior to the resignation, Rustam wrote in his personal Facebook account that he felt pained by the accusation. Not only he did not know Yusril, he wanted Ahok to give him clearer directions instead of falsely accusing him.

Upon hearing of Rustam's resignation, Ahok thanked him for his work, which according to him was "not too bad".

"He just told me that he wants to resign. I don't want to dismiss him, but if he wants to resign, we can do nothing," Ahok told reporters at City Hall on Tuesday.

The deputy mayor Wahyu Hariadi will be acting mayor until the governor appoints another mayor.

Separately, executive director of Charta Politika Indonesia Yunarto Wijaya questioned Ahok's communicative approach especially to his subordinates, which might cost him a second term in the capital's top post.

Some people might see him as a firm leader, but others might raise their eyebrows over his outspoken attitude, Yunarto said.

Rustam's resignation could also impact on other civil servants. Some of them might be motivated to work better while others may be disheartened by this incident.

"If Ahok can improve his communication skills it will have a positive snowball effect, which may benefit himself in next year’s election," he told thejakartapost.com on Monday.

Ahok has an advantage as an incumbent in next year's gubernatorial race. However, if he acted as a "one man show" and did not create a harmonious relationship with his subordinates, it could have a negative impact on his own performance, Yunarto said. (rin)

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