So, it has been coordinated and discussed with the vice president..."
Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is also the general chairman of his ruling Democrat Party, plans to take leave to participate in political campaigns ahead of the legislative elections on April 9.

With regard to that, Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said here on Wednesday that President Yudhoyono has made coordination with the vice president to assure that his tasks as a head of state are not neglected.

"So, it has been coordinated and discussed with the vice president so that when he conducts the campaign in his capacity as the general chairman of the Democrat Party, his tasks as head of state will not be left unattended and remain done," he said.

President Yudhoyono, who was now on a working visit to East Java, would continue prioritizing his tasks as the head of state, Julian said.

President Yudhoyono plans to take leave to participate in political campaigns in line with Law Number 18 of 2013.

"The law regulates that public officials who wish to take part in campaign must take leave. And so the President has also taken leave for two days on March 17 and 18 for the purpose," he said adding his tasks a president and a party chief would not be mixed up.

Julian said the applications from public officials were now still being processed by the state secretary.

Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said six cabinet ministers have already submitted applications for leave namely Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa who is the chief of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Minister of Cooperative and Small and Medium Businesses Syarif Hasan who is a Democrat Party board member.

Also Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan who is also Democrat Party figure, Agriculture Minister Suswono from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Minister for Communications and Informatics Tifatul Sembiring also from PKS and Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan from PAN.

"Other ministers perhaps would also take leave to campaign for their parties," he added.

Official campaigning would start from March 16 to April 5.

(Reporting by GNC Aryani/Uu.H-YH/KR-BSR/R013)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014