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.