House chides over envoy post
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.