Mega asked to change envoy posts<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives (DPR) has recommended that President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri change the country destinations of four
\nambassadorial candidates on the ground that they were unfit for
\ntheir respective posts designated by the head of state.<\/p>\n
\"We want to know how the government follows up our
\nrecommendation. We have recommended that the country destinations
\nof four ambassadorial candidates be changed,\" legislator Yasril
\nAnanta Baharuddin of the Golkar faction said during a hearing
\nwith Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The four ambassadorial candidates are Susanto Pudjomartono for
\nAustralia, Perwito Rini for Sweden, A. Mataliti for Belgium and
\nSulaiman Abdulmanan for New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Legislator Djoko Susilo of the Reform faction said the House's
\nrecommendation was designed to boost relations between Indonesia
\nand the host countries.<\/p>\n
Members of House Commission I on foreign affairs suggested
\nthat President Megawati change the posts of Susanto and Perwito,
\nsaying both figures were \"not tough enough\" to handle problems in
\ntheir designated host countries.<\/p>\n
\"I think Pak Susanto will not be tough enough to deal with
\nAustralian matters. He has no fighting spirit,\" said Djoko,
\nreferring to the former chief editor of The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Mataliti was to take up the ambassadorial post in Belgium
\nwhile Sulaiman, incumbent Indonesian ambassador to Belgium, was
\nto transfer to New Zealand.<\/p>\n
However, Commission members preferred that Sulaiman be kept in
\nBelgium, because he had the capability to improve bilateral
\nrelations with Brussels.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the query, Hassan replied that the government
\nhad continued processing candidates who had been approved by the
\nHouse, and that their files had been sent to the respective host
\ncountries for approval.<\/p>\n
A total of 19 ambassadorial candidates had undergone a fit and
\nproper test by the House in early March.<\/p>\n
As to the four ambassadorial candidates in question, Hassan
\nsaid the government was still assessing the matter.<\/p>\n
Legislator Mashadi of the Reform faction said he hoped the
\ngovernment would follow the recommendation of the House.<\/p>\n
Under existing laws, the president must consult the House in
\nassigning the country's overseas envoys. Recommendations by
\nlegislators, however, are not binding, which allows the incumbent
\npresident to exercise his or her prerogative right.<\/p>\n
In assigning ambassadors previously, President Megawati
\nignored a recommendation from the House not to appoint Irsan
\nAbdul Gani as Indonesia's ambassador to Japan.<\/p>\n
Her decision angered legislators, but a consultation between
\nlegislators and the foreign minister settled the issue.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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