Jakarta. A senior presidential aide denied Monday that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was pulling the strings behind Airlangga Hartarto’s recent abrupt resignation as the Golkar party’s chairman.

Airlangga recently made headlines for stepping down from Golkar's top position. The news sparked speculations that Jokowi was meddling with the party’s internal affairs. Jokowi’s senior aide Ari Dwipayana immediately issued a statement aimed at brushing off those rumors.

“Mr. Airlangga Hartarto’s resignation as the Golkar chairman is his personal decision and right. This decision is Golkar party’s internal affairs, and has nothing to do with the president,” Ari said in a statement on Monday.

According to Ari, Airlangga is still doing his job as the chief economic affairs minister. He is currently accompanying Jokowi on the latter’s visit to the new capital Nusantara.

In his video statement, Airlangga said that he decided to resign to keep the Golkar party united, while also ensuring the smooth transition of power in the government.

Jokowi is set to retire this October. President-Elect Prabowo Subianto, who is the current defense minister, is his successor.

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