RI needs foreign policy formulation board: Analyst

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should establish a special board to formulate foreign policy, former ambassador to the United States Hasnan Habib said yesterday.

Policy-making mechanisms were currently unclear, Hasnan, a retired Army lieutenant-general, told a seminar reviewing Indonesia's foreign policy.

Indonesia's foreign policy is made by several government agencies besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some policies were made at the Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security level, but the time allotted to discussing them was often limited, Hasnan said.

A formulation board which could respond immediately to foreign policy crisis was also necessary, the former ambassador told the seminar organized by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

This, he added, was necessary to clarify the decision-making mechanism on new problems.

Even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had admitted its workshops on policy issues needed streamlining, Hasnan said.

The seminar also featured Nugroho Wisnumurti, the director general of politics affairs of the Foreign Ministry, former ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian, Rizal Sukma of CSIS and Anak Agung Banyu Perwita of Parahyangan University.

Hasnan said Indonesia should also strive to strengthen the professionalism of its diplomats.

"The ministry has started the efforts, but they are inadequate," he said.

He noted that many bright and talented university graduates were not interested in joining the foreign service because of uncertainties about the diplomatic career path.

Rizal shared Hasnan's view about the need for a standard mechanism for foreign policy formulation.

"Due to globalization, foreign policy should be less personal and involve as many public aspirations as possible," he said, meaning consultations with non-governmental organizations and the House of Representatives.

However, Rizal said, the required mechanism did not necessarily mean the establishment of an institution to oversee the formulation of policy.

"We already have, for example, the National Council of Security and Defense which gives input to foreign policy-making. Besides, coordination among cabinet ministers to decide foreign policy has become common practice," he said.

Golkar legislator Krissantono joined the call for the government to listen to the people's representatives when making foreign policies.

He criticized the government for seemingly neglecting the House during the drawing up of many bilateral treaties.

"The government has never asked for House ratification of the agreements, although it knows its decisions affect the public," Krissantono complained.

"We need a law which requires the government to ask for House ratification for any international agreements," he said.

He admitted however that the House lacked foreign affairs experts.

"Therefore the next House should place the right people in the commission in charge of foreign affairs and drop the traditional quota of staff," he said. (amd/10)