Jakarta – The Prosperous and Justice Party's (PKS) decision not to include President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on its list of presidential candidates will not hurt the President, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said here Monday.

Andi said Yudhoyono would remain focused on his duties until the end of his tenure next year. "It is the party's (PKS) internal affairs. They have their own plans," he said. "The President will stay focused on completing his duties."

On Sunday, the PKS published its list of eight candidates, one of whom will be nominated to run for the July 2009 election. Among the eight are People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid and PKS chairman Tifatul Sembiring.