Indonesia's envoy to Singapore recalled for alleged 'budget misuse'

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian government has recalled its ambassador to Singapore, Johan Syahperi, following reports of serious irregularities found in the embassy's budget.

A member of the House of Representative Commission I on security and foreign affairs Yasril Ananta Baharuddin confirmed the news on Wednesday, saying that the ministry of foreign affairs had informed the commission of the decision.

"The ambassador was withdrawn because he could not explain the irregularities found in the budget," Yasril remarked.

He suggested that the government immediately appoint a replacement given the fact that relations with Singapore were extremely vital.

The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) report made public last week revealed that irregularities in the ministry of foreign affairs centered on the embassies in Singapore and China.

The misuse of funds reportedly reached 56.9 percent of the total of allocated budget of around Rp 83 billion (US$9.2million).

Johan is one of the ministry's most respected career diplomats. He held the director general of foreign economic relations post before his appointment to the ambassadorial post in Singapore.

He is also known as a young diplomat on the rise.

There was no explanation from Johan regarding his withdrawal.

Foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa admitted on Wednesday that Johan had returned home last month, but refused to disclose the reason.

"The ambassador returned home last month, but the reason, I am not authorized to reveal," Marty told The Jakarta Post by phone.

He asked the Post to call him back as he had to consult his superiors. But he turned off his phone and was unreachable.

All foreign ministry officials contacted by the Post also confirmed Johan's return to Jakarta, but refused to provide the reason for the recall.

Johan was appointed as Ambassador to Singapore in early 2000 replacing Luhut Panjaitan who had been appointed the trade and industry minister by then president Abdurrahman Wahid.

This is the first time that the recall mechanism has been imposed on an Indonesian ambassador during the tenure of Hassan Wirayuda as foreign minister that began last July.

It was not immediately clear whether legal measures would be taken against Johan.