House looking for more control in foreign affairs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives is seeking a
\ngreater say in foreign affairs by demanding the government first
\nseek its approval before committing to any international
\nagreement.<\/p>\n
In the hearing with Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab on Monday,
\neight factions in the of the House demanded every international
\nagreement be brought to the House before being executed by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
"House approval is needed to avoid the House rejecting an
\ninternational agreement after already being signed by the
\ngovernment," Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) spokesman Nuah Torong said during the plenary session
\nof the international agreements bill which was submitted by the
\ngovernment last week.<\/p>\n
The House's request means that there would be significant
\nchanges in the bill presented by the government.<\/p>\n
Torong said that consideration by the House was essential to
\navoid a recurrence of incidents such as East Timor and the recent
\naccord with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
He said his faction also asked the government to seek
\npreliminary House approval before making international loan
\nagreements. A consideration not addressed in the bill.<\/p>\n
United Development Party (PPP) spokeswoman Aisyah Amini
\nsupported PDI Perjuangan's proposal.<\/p>\n
She said her faction suggested international loan agreements
\nbetween private sectors and international parties also be
\nendorsed by the House.<\/p>\n
She argued that so far international loans for the private
\nsector were larger than similar loans to the government.<\/p>\n
"The bill is incomprehensive and has many weaknesses," Aisyah
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted the draft bill on
\ninternational agreements to the House last week. The draft
\nprovides general guidelines of Indonesia's rights and obligations
\nin every international agreement.<\/p>\n
In Law No. 37\/1999 on International Affairs, issued on Sept.
\n14, 1999, only the minister of foreign affairs needs to be
\nconsulted for any international agreement signed by Indonesian
\nparties.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the House factions' objections, Foreign Minister
\nAlwi Shihab said the bill remains very much open to change.<\/p>\n
"All the factions' suggestions can be accommodated as long as
\nit is for the nation's interest," Alwi told reporters after the
\nsession.<\/p>\n
He said the exclusion of House approval in the initial signing
\nof bills was merely based on practical reasons.<\/p>\n
Recent Constitutional amendments have given the House a
\ngreater say in various international matters, such as oversight
\non the appointment and acceptance of diplomatic representatives.<\/p>\n
However, in the past six months there have been several
\ncomplaints about the lengthy nature of the proceedings.<\/p>\n
Several staff at the Foreign Ministry told The Jakarta Post
\nthat they have received several complaints about the snail's pace
\nof procedures going through the House, even for proposing the
\nname of a new ambassador.<\/p>\n
"The process can take up to four months, whereas usually if
\nthere is no word within two months it could be interpreted as
\nrejection of the foreign representative," a foreign ministry
\nofficial remarked. (jun\/dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-looking-for-more-control-in-foreign-affairs-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}