Jakarta. Chief Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud MD officially submitted his resignation during a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace on Thursday afternoon.

Mahfud, who is now vying for the position of vice president, is competing against Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto.

Describing his closed-door meeting with the president as "friendly and joyful," Mahfud said, "I officially declared my resignation with honor." 

"The president approved [my resignation], and we engaged in an honest and friendly conversation -- both of us were all smiles," he told journalists at the palace.

President Jokowi was accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno during the meeting.

Mahfud expressed gratitude to Jokowi for entrusting him with leadership roles in security, legal, and political matters. He also took the opportunity to apologize for any mistakes he may have made during his four and a half years in service.

The resignation, Mahfud explained, allows him to focus on his election bid without concerns about misusing his position or government facilities.

"I came to this decision because I don’t want to end my responsibilities [as a senior minister] in a negative way. I want to go through this process properly," Mahfud said.