Alwi explains audit irregularities<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab claimed that the Rp
\n46 billion (US$4.8 million) \"irregularity\" in the ministry as
\nreported by the Supreme Audit Agency, was due to the delayed
\npayment of visa and immigration fees from several Indonesian
\nembassies.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Alwi said his office has
\nconducted a preliminary investigation and found there were
\ndelayed payments from five consulates: Kuala Lumpur and Johor
\nBaru in Malaysia; Hong Kong; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
\"So far we have yet to find any sign of irregularities, but we
\nare going to ask these embassies about the delays and we are
\ngoing to officially warn the officials responsible,\" Alwi
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Monday, the audit agency announced at that they had
\nfound financial irregularities, among them in the ministry of
\nforeign affairs.<\/p>\n
According to the report, conveyed by the agency's chairman
\nSatrio Budihardjo Joedono during a hearing with the House of
\nRepresentatives, during the 1998\/1999 fiscal year there were some
\nRp 46.4 billion in irregularities, and so far Rp 24.2 billion in
\nfiscal year 2000 in the foreign ministry alone.<\/p>\n
Alwi further underlined that his office has been undergoing an
\ninternal reform to optimize the functioning of the ministry.<\/p>\n
This includes downgrading or withdrawing several ambassadors
\ndue to financial matters. But the ministry will do it quietly,
\nAlwi remarked.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is to make sure everybody inside the
\nministry is serious in conducting the improvements,\" he added.<\/p>\n
House Commission I on Tuesday also signed an agreement with
\nthe Foreign Ministry on the draft international treaties bill.<\/p>\n
It is now up to the House's plenary session to pass the bill.<\/p>\n
The draft gives more authority to the House to evaluate all
\ninternational agreements, including loans and grants, after the
\npresident enacts the agreement.<\/p>\n
The draft also will regulate the rights and obligations of the
\ncountry in every international agreement along with standard
\nprocedures for the government to enact agreements. (dja)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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