Alwi explains audit irregularities

JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab claimed that the Rp 46 billion (US$4.8 million) "irregularity" in the ministry as reported by the Supreme Audit Agency, was due to the delayed payment of visa and immigration fees from several Indonesian embassies.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Alwi said his office has conducted a preliminary investigation and found there were delayed payments from five consulates: Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru in Malaysia; Hong Kong; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

"So far we have yet to find any sign of irregularities, but we are going to ask these embassies about the delays and we are going to officially warn the officials responsible," Alwi remarked.

Earlier on Monday, the audit agency announced at that they had found financial irregularities, among them in the ministry of foreign affairs.

According to the report, conveyed by the agency's chairman Satrio Budihardjo Joedono during a hearing with the House of Representatives, during the 1998/1999 fiscal year there were some Rp 46.4 billion in irregularities, and so far Rp 24.2 billion in fiscal year 2000 in the foreign ministry alone.

Alwi further underlined that his office has been undergoing an internal reform to optimize the functioning of the ministry.

This includes downgrading or withdrawing several ambassadors due to financial matters. But the ministry will do it quietly, Alwi remarked.

"The most important thing is to make sure everybody inside the ministry is serious in conducting the improvements," he added.

House Commission I on Tuesday also signed an agreement with the Foreign Ministry on the draft international treaties bill.

It is now up to the House's plenary session to pass the bill.

The draft gives more authority to the House to evaluate all international agreements, including loans and grants, after the president enacts the agreement.

The draft also will regulate the rights and obligations of the country in every international agreement along with standard procedures for the government to enact agreements. (dja)