Affectionately called Sulis, the new ambassador is no career diplomat, nor is he a politician affiliated with a particular party. He is a business professional with 39 years of experience in a renowned national business group.

Sulis' first plan upon assuming office is to bolster the economic, trade and investment sectors. He admits that a part of his primary mission is to encourage entrepreneurs from both sides of the sea to strengthen their cooperation in the three areas, particularly trade and investment.

One of the first steps he's taking is proposing infrastructure projects in Indonesia to South Korean investors through the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Sulis also intends to take advantage of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that frees Indonesia and South Korea from import duties on several of their respective products.

Indonesia can also ratify derivatives of the agreement that both parties signed in December last year.

"It is my greatest wish to have the House of Representatives sign the ratification before my departure so that the listed items will be exempt from import duties," Sulis said.

As an ambassador, he hopes to bring the balance of trade into equilibrium by exporting Indonesian produce to balance the influx of South Korean goods into the country.

To carry out the plan, Sulis encourages Indonesian entrepreneurs to promote their products more “diligently”.

"This will [encourage] access to funding from banks for companies that export their products to South Korea. It also includes multiplying partnerships so that they can produce most of their products in South Korea," Sulis said.

He is also determined to draw in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to be part of the supply chain ecosystem of prominent South Korean investors.

"The companies will supervise the [Indonesian] products to ensure they're up to standard.”

Close to Home

Sulis found a few similarities in his assignment as an ambassador with his career in a major corporation.

His previous responsibilities included diplomacy and maintaining relations with the public and the government.

"It's about conveying the company program that we're proposing to gain acceptance from the company's management, the government and the public," Sulis said.

In addition to diplomacy, advocacy is also beneficial in mitigating and even avoiding a possible polemic or crisis, he added.

"Through amicable and win-win solutions, we'll be able to navigate difficult situations without any party having to lose face. There are a few similarities between what I've done and what I will be doing in the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul. What's different is the scale. I'll have to be a problem-solver for state affairs.”

Sulis prefers to continue the successful formula his predecessors followed. He was grateful for the milestones that the previous ambassador, Umar Hadi, had laid down for his groundwork.

"Of course, there will be innovations. But I must thank my forerunner for making my work plans much smoother," Sulis said.

Sulis also spoke of his admiration of former ambassador John Prasetyo — also a businessman —for his efforts in strengthening bilateral ties between Indonesia and South Korea.

"To be formally appointed by the President — that's my chance to dedicate myself to Indonesia. Not everybody can have this chance of a lifetime," Sulis added.

Sulis also gained support from his family, who fell in love with South Korea's creative industry.

"My wife is very accepting [of my new position] as she's a fan of Korean dramas," he conceded. "And my children and grandchildren are also fans of Blackpink and BTS. So, this assignment is a perfect match."

Popular

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

Tens of thousands seek better lives in Jakarta. But is the city losing its draw?

Elon Musk's Starlink granted licences to operate in Indonesia