Foreign Ministry scandals

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 06/05/2007 9:05 AM | Opinion

Readers may have walked away with mixed feelings about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after seeing Monday's edition of The Jakarta Post.

On one hand, it is cheering to see that a young diplomat is moving to a coveted ambassadorial posting at the United Nations. On the other hand, there is a sense of shame because one of the ministry's most senior officials is facing corruption charges.

The decision of Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda to accelerate the promotion of young and capable diplomats to strategic positions is laudable. However, we also hope the minister will be more open to the public about the corruption scandal implicating one of his directors general. Let the public know that the ministry is serious about combating one of the country's most dangerous enemies: corruption.

The promotion of Indonesia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Marty Natalegawa, to permanent representative to the UN, is indeed heartening. More and more capable young diplomats now hold key positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regeneration at the ministry is reportedly going well, although from time to time there are complaints that senior officials have been sidelined.

Marty, 44, along with some other young officials like presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal, is widely regarded as one of the country's most promising public faces. Marty served as the ministry spokesman before taking the post in London.

Marty will replace Rezlan Ishar Jenie in the UN post. Rezlan will take over the position of director general of multilateral affairs from Moh. Slamet Hidayat. The Attorney General's Office is investigating Slamet in a corruption case connected to the renovation of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, where he served as ambassador from 2003 to 2005. The Corruption Eradication Commission is also investigating a former Indonesian envoy to Malaysia, Hadi A. Wayarabi, for allegedly charging illegal immigration fees during his term in office.

The corruption allegations are embarrassing because they arose during a diplomatic offensive to boost Indonesia's international role. To make it worse, Slamet is accused of committing corruption in Singapore, where Indonesia has loudly campaigned for more cooperation in catching expatriate corruption suspects.

Doesn't Indonesia shoot itself in the foot by charging Singapore with protecting Indonesian crooks, while its chief diplomat there is accused of stealing from state coffers?

A few years ago, Indonesia recalled its then-envoy to Singapore, Johan Syahperi, amid reports that he was involved in a graft case. The Ministry never openly explained the allegations.

We call on the Foreign Ministry to issue a full report on the Slamet case. For instance, was Slamet dismissed after the AGO's investigation or was he just asked to resign quietly? The people have the right to know what is going on with the case. The Ministry needs to reach out the nation not just to explain its diplomatic success stories, but also to brief the public when bad things happen.

If it fails to do so, its credibility is at stake -- not just in the world of diplomacy, but more importantly among the stakeholders: the people.

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