NO SPECIAL REASON BEHIND JIMLY'S DECISION TO QUIT MK

Tanjungpinang, Oct 18 (ANTARA) - Constitutional Court (MK) judge Jimly Asshiddiqie said there was no special reason for his decision to resign from his position in the court.

He made the statement after talking about the MK's functions before local government officials and community leaders at the Riau Islands governor's office.

"I will no longer work as MK judge starting in November 2008," Jimly told reporters here on Saturday.

He said the MK would bear a heavy workload in connection with the implementation of the 2009 general elections.

"The settlement of 2009 general election disputes will ultimately be left to MK because, in 2009, the Supreme Court (MA) will no longer handle regional head election disputes," he said.

Jimly who was MK chairman for two consecutive terms, namely 2003-2006 and 2006-2009, said the MK had developed well.

"As MK is now in better conditions, I can quit," Jimly said, adding there was no special problem behind his decision to leave his job as an MK judge.

"It is purely my wish (to quit). And there is no special problem behind my decision," he said.

He declined to comment when asked whether his wish to resign as MK judge had something to do with him possibly intending to embark on a political career by running for president or vice president in the 2009 general elections.

"Let's wait and see," he said. He had previously denied his resignation was because he had presdiential or vice presidential ambitions.