Surjadi ceremony a protocol 'snafu'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra acknowledged on Tuesday that the swearing-in ceremony of
\nSurjadi Soedirdja to temporarily assume ministerial duties of
\nGen. Wiranto violated standard protocol, but stressed it was not
\na legal offense.<\/p>\n
\"Usually there's no need for such a inauguration as it is
\ntemporary post,\" Yusril said.<\/p>\n
\"Conventions or state protocol in practice is usually binding
\nand respected. But (from a legal point of view) if it was a
\nviolation it can't be taken to court, and therefore the ceremony
\ncan't be faulted.\"<\/p>\n
Legislators are questioning why Surjadi was inducted as ad-
\ninterim coordinating minister for political affairs and security
\nin an official state ceremony at the State Palace on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ad-interim ministers usually undergo an administrative process
\nwhen they take over the post and are not inducted in an official
\nceremony attended by top government officials. Both the President
\nand Vice President were present at Soerjadi's installation.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party legislator Agung Laksono strongly criticized the
\nprecedent of the ceremony, saying it gave the impression that
\nSurjadi was permanently being appointed to Wiranto's job.<\/p>\n
\"A presidential decree is usually enough,\" Agung said on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
\"If Wiranto is proven innocent and retains his post, will we
\nhave another official ceremony for him?\"<\/p>\n
People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais described
\nthe departure from regular state conventions as a \"mistake\".<\/p>\n
\"This is quite strange to have an ad-interim minister
\ninaugurated in a ceremony inviting such distinguished
\nguests ...If it's ad interim, there's really no need,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Palace has not been forthcoming in giving a formal reason
\nfor why the ceremony was held Monday morning.<\/p>\n
However, sources told The Jakarta Post there may have been a
\nprotocol mix-up by Palace officials due to the suddenness of
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid's decision to suspend Wiranto close
\nto midnight Sunday.<\/p>\n
They said most officials overseeing protocol affairs at the
\npalace were handpicked by the President, but are unaccustomed to
\ntimeworn protocol. They said officials more experienced in such
\nmatters were no longer given the responsibility under the new
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
House leaders have included the subject on the agenda for a
\nconsultation meeting between them with the President next week.
\n(mds)<\/p>",
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