Jakarta. Sandiaga Uno met with executives of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) on Sunday to confirm his departure from the party that he used as the political vehicle in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election and the 2019 presidential election.

The tourism minister has been linked to a move to the United Development Party, or PPP, since early this year.

He met with Gerindra acting chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and secretary-general Ahmad Muzani to bid farewell during a gathering to celebrate Eid in Jakarta.

"I had a behind-door discussion with Brother Dasco to express my thoughts and apologize for things that I might have done wrong. The point is I said my farewell," Sandiaga said.

Dasco, the host of the event at his residence, said Sandiaga has submitted his resignation letter and apologized to chairman Prabowo Subianto, currently the defense minister, for parting ways with the party.

Sandiaga’s departure from Gerindra came less than six months before incumbent parties are required to register their candidates for the president and the running mate in the 2024 election.

Sandiaga was the running mate for Prabowo in the last presidential election. 

PPP executives have revealed his plan to join the Muslim-based party but Sandiaga said he will announce his decision after the Eid holidays.