Jakarta. The leaders of the Golkar Party planned for a meeting on Tuesday to appoint an acting chairman succeeding Airlangga Hartarto who abruptly announced his resignation on Sunday.

While the exact reasons behind Airlangga’s resignation remain undisclosed, Golkar executives were quick to call for an emergency meeting to determine the date of the national congress where a definite chairman will be elected.

“The upcoming meeting will decide on the acting chairman and the schedule for a national congress or an extraordinary congress,” said Agung Laksono, the head of Golkar’s council of experts.

He said the meeting was proposed by Deputy Chairman Erwin Aksa.

Agung said Golkar must get Airlangga’s replacement soon because of the approaching simultaneous elections for governors, regents, and mayors across Indonesia.

“The local leader elections are coming and the endorsement letters for [candidates] must be signed by a definite chairman and the secretary-general. Therefore the national congress must be held soon,” Agung said.

According to him, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang is among Golkar executives to be nominated as the acting chairman.

Airlangga, currently the coordinating minister for economic affairs, announced his resignation in a video message earlier today. He did not provide specific reasons for his departure, stating only that his decision was made "in the interest of ensuring a smooth transition of power in the government and preserving the unity of the Golkar Party."

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