JAKARTA, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan announced his resignation from the cabinet, effective Feb 1, to focus on his bid for the Presidential nomination ahead of this year's general election.

Gita said on Friday, that he was withdrawing from his ministerial duties to avoid any conflict of interest and wanted to focus fully on the Democratic Party's convention.

"I thank my family and all my friends for their unstinting support," he said at the press conference here.

Gita, who was appointed as the Trade Minister by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono on October 2011 to replace Marie Elka Pangestu, is one of 11 candidates vying to win the ruling Democratic Party's nomination to run for president.

The others include State-Owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan, House of Representatives speaker Marzuki Alie and Paramadina University rector Anies Baswedan.

President Yudhoyono has yet to announce Gita's replacement.

-- BERNAMA

Excerpt from:
Indonesian Trade Minister Resigns To Focus On Presidential Nomination

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January 31, 2014 at 2:52 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Cabinet Replacement