Screening starts for ambassadorship candidates

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) began on Wednesday the screening of 16 candidates for ambassadorships, including in South Korea, Canada, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Permadi, a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) of the House Commission I overseeing foreign affairs, said the screening would be completed by Friday.

"We can't tell the public the candidates' names for ethical reasons. None of the candidates has a military background, all are civilians," Permadi said.

According to him, the House would recommend six names for the posts to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has the final say in appointing Indonesia's overseas diplomats. --JP