Mega asked to change envoy posts
Mega asked to change envoy posts
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The House of Representatives (DPR) has recommended that President
Megawati Soekarnoputri change the country destinations of four
ambassadorial candidates on the ground that they were unfit for
their respective posts designated by the head of state.
"We want to know how the government follows up our
recommendation. We have recommended that the country destinations
of four ambassadorial candidates be changed," legislator Yasril
Ananta Baharuddin of the Golkar faction said during a hearing
with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda on Wednesday.
The four ambassadorial candidates are Susanto Pudjomartono for
Australia, Perwito Rini for Sweden, A. Mataliti for Belgium and
Sulaiman Abdulmanan for New Zealand.
Legislator Djoko Susilo of the Reform faction said the House's
recommendation was designed to boost relations between Indonesia
and the host countries.
Members of House Commission I on foreign affairs suggested
that President Megawati change the posts of Susanto and Perwito,
saying both figures were "not tough enough" to handle problems in
their designated host countries.
"I think Pak Susanto will not be tough enough to deal with
Australian matters. He has no fighting spirit," said Djoko,
referring to the former chief editor of The Jakarta Post.
Mataliti was to take up the ambassadorial post in Belgium
while Sulaiman, incumbent Indonesian ambassador to Belgium, was
to transfer to New Zealand.
However, Commission members preferred that Sulaiman be kept in
Belgium, because he had the capability to improve bilateral
relations with Brussels.
Commenting on the query, Hassan replied that the government
had continued processing candidates who had been approved by the
House, and that their files had been sent to the respective host
countries for approval.
A total of 19 ambassadorial candidates had undergone a fit and
proper test by the House in early March.
As to the four ambassadorial candidates in question, Hassan
said the government was still assessing the matter.
Legislator Mashadi of the Reform faction said he hoped the
government would follow the recommendation of the House.
Under existing laws, the president must consult the House in
assigning the country's overseas envoys. Recommendations by
legislators, however, are not binding, which allows the incumbent
president to exercise his or her prerogative right.
In assigning ambassadors previously, President Megawati
ignored a recommendation from the House not to appoint Irsan
Abdul Gani as Indonesia's ambassador to Japan.
Her decision angered legislators, but a consultation between
legislators and the foreign minister settled the issue.