Jakarta. Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has submitted his resignation as Jakarta governor to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Home Affairs Ministry Tjahjo Kumolo said on Wednesday (24/05).

This means Djarot Saiful Hidayat, who has been acting governor since Ahok was suspended earlier this month to begin serving his two-year sentence for a blasphemy conviction, will soon assume his post leading Jakarta administration until Oct.

Tjahjo said Ahok's letter of resignation was forwarded to his ministry on Tuesday, a day after Ahok withdrew his appeal against his blasphemy conviction.

"We are still awaiting a letter from the Jakarta High Court confirming the withdrawal of the appeal, an administrative requirement," Tjahjo said in a statement.

Ahok was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to two years in prison. He is currently being detained at the police's Mobile Brigade headquarters in Depok, West Java.

"I hereby request that the Indonesian president approve this application of resignation," Ahok said in his letter.

Tjahjo said the post of deputy Jakarta governor will be left vacant for the next five months, until governor-elect Anies Baswedan and deputy Sandiaga Uno assume office in October 2017.