House chides over envoy post
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The president of foreign minister criticized the House of Representatives (DPR) on Sunday over its perceived meddling in the appointment of Indonesian ambassadors to foreign countries.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda reminded House members Sunday that their role was limited to providing a second opinion for the government in appointing ambassadors and not to conduct a complete screening.
"The House's duty is simply providing consideration to the candidates that we proposed, not to conduct final interviews," Hassan was quoted by Antara as saying in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on Sunday.
Several months back, House Commission I for defense, foreign and political affairs, rejected eight candidates for reasons known only to them, leaving many ambassadorial posts around the world vacant.
"I have officially stated my objection to the House so that they could improve the process," Hassan said.
Hassan said Indonesia is the only country in the world that requires the legislature's consideration in the appointment of ambassadors, although it is the prerogative of the President.
Hassan is in Algeria to accompany President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is currently on a 15-day whirlwind tour of Africa and Europe.
The amended 1945 Constitution stated that Indonesia's ambassador is appointed by the president, taking into account consideration expressed by the House.
In practice, however, the House had asked each candidate to present their ideas and programs to the House to be considered.
The process could take up to three months, leaving many posts empty, such as the current situation happened in Japan that has been empty for the past six months.
On Friday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in Algiers, also launched the same criticism against the House.
This is the first time the government publicly lodged objections to the House over its role in the appointment of Indonesian ambassadors overseas.
Commenting on the criticism, House Commission I chairman Ibrahim Ambong claimed that the House did not screen the candidates.
"The Constitution orders us to provide consideration for the government and to do that we need to know the candidates' program for their respected designated countries," Ibrahim said.
He brushed aside the government's accusation that the process had prolonged the appointment of the ambassadors, saying that the government had submitted the names of the candidates late.
"If they have problems with the process, then they better change the Constitution. I cannot comprehend why the minister and President have to launch a protest against us," Ibrahim said.
The legislator also underlined that the government ran the risk of violating the country's Constitution if it rejected the process.