T

he build up to the 2019 presidential election has already had an impact on the political landscape with a member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s Cabinet leaving his ministerial post following his party’s move to challenge the incumbent’s reelection bid.

Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Asman Abnur, a National Mandate Party (PAN) politician, resigned from his position on Tuesday, citing the dilemma caused by PAN’s decision to throw its support behind Jokowi’s presidential election contender Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto.

Asman, who was the only PAN representative in the Cabinet, has yet to officially send a resignation letter to Jokowi, but revealed his plan to State Secretary Pratikno during a meeting at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday morning.

“If allowed, I request permission to resign,” Asman said. “I don’t want to be a burden for both the President and the government [..] especially as there have been demands [for my withdrawal] from the President’s Cabinet.”

Asman has served as Jokowi’s aide for two years after he replaced Hanura Party politician Yuddy Chrisnandi during the second Cabinet reshuffle in July 2016.

He entered the Cabinet following PAN’s decision to switch sides and join Jokowi’s governing coalition in 2015. PAN was previously part of the coalition that backed the Prabowo-Hatta Rajasa ticket during the 2014 presidential election.

PAN, however, decided last week to join the Gerindra-led coalition for the 2019 election, backing the candidacy of Prabowo and his running mate Sandiaga Uno.

The coalition challenging the nine-party coalition endorsing Jokowi and running mate Ma’ruf Amin comprises Gerindra, PAN, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Democratic Party.

Jokowi’s close aides, including Pratikno, have reiterated that Asman’s departure was a consequence of changing political dynamics in the lead up to the presidential race and a matter of “who is inside and who is outside the coalition”.

While the President was satisfied with Asman’s performance as a minister, the reshuffle was “inevitable, as it is a matter of political choice”, said Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, who is also a senior politician within the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

“Ideally, after the coalitions have been established, ministers [of parties] that are not part of the pro-government coalition must [resign],” Pramono said.

Pramono, who thanked Asman for his service, said it was the prerogative of the President to choose a minister to replace Asman. He added that the replacement would be decided and announced in the near future.

United Development Party (PPP) secretary-general Arsul Sani, whose party is a member of Jokowi’s coalition, said the coalition had not discussed a potential replacement for Asman.

“We will leave it to the President,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAN politician Viva Yoga Mauladi said Asman, who had already registered as a legislative candidate for 2019, would be considered to fill an important position in the Prabowo-Sandiaga campaign team.

“It’s one of the main options, as Pak Asman is highly capable, intelligent and has a good track record and integrity, which will be great assets for the Prabowo-Sandiaga team,” he said.

He also said Asman’s resignation was a personal choice, without any pressure from the President.

“As far as I know, the government was very satisfied with Pak Asman’s performance as a minister because he dedicated himself completely to the job,” he said. “As a result, the performance of the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry has improved.”