Yenni Wahid gives up job on President`s staff

Jakarta, NU Online
Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh Rahman Wahid, popularly known as Yenni Wahid, announced on Friday her resignation as the president`s special staff for political communications to concentrate on her job as secretary general of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

"I have resigned and I have just been received by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss the matter," Yenni said at the Presidential Office here on Friday.

In the meeting, Yenni said, she explained to the president her position as PKB secretary general which had made it difficult for her to concentrate on her duties as a special staff of the president.

"It is difficult for me to have two concurrent positions and it would be unfair for both. There is no need for me to be in the palace to provide services for the people," she said.

She said that the president accepted her resignation and asked her to maintain cordial relations.

"The president also sent his regards to Gus Dur and my mother. He asked that communications must be maintained. I will come to the Palace from time to time," she said.

Yenni is a daughter of former president Abdurrahman Wahid who is popularly known as Gus Dur.

Yenni denied allegations that her resignation was caused by the criticism often made by Gus Dur against the president`s policies.

She said Gus Dur`s criticisms must be viewed as something positive.

"Gus Dur also often praised the president but it was not published by the media. He criticizes and praises when he feels he needs to," she was quoted by Antara news agency.

Yenni said Gus Dur`s criticism was proof of his love for the president. If he did not love the president, he would not criticize him.

"I have resigned on my own decision after I asked for the blessings of Gus Dur as my father and as a PKB leader," Yenni said. (dar)