Vice foreign minister post sparks debate

Abdul Khalik ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 03/24/2008 1:10 AM  |  Headlines

The President has signed two decrees on the creation of a vice foreign minister post, quickly fueling demands by lawmakers for clarification on the new job's duties and authority.

Lawmakers gave mixed responses to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's move, with some questioning the urgency of the new post and linking the policy to the 2009 elections. Others accepted the decision but demanded the government consult the House of Representatives on the appointment.

The President has yet to name anyone for the post, but he or she will be given a status equal to a minister, officials have said.

Several names, including career diplomats such as Foreign Ministry secretary general Imron Cotan, Ambassador to the United Nations Marty Natalegawa and presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal, as well as politicians like chairman of the House's Commission I Theo Sambuaga, have been mentioned as possible candidates.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kristiarto Suryo Legowo said Sunday the ministry had proposed the new post as part of efforts to complete the reorganization of the ministry and embassies.

"The creation aims at fulfilling main jobs and functions of the Foreign Ministry. In addition, we need a vice minister because the foreign minister often goes abroad while there are many foreign issues to be addressed at the domestic level," he told The Jakarta Post.

While acknowledging Indonesia's intensifying involvement at a global level, some experts have warned of redundancy and dualism of leadership at the ministry.

"The vice minister should be given a very clear job description and authority to avoid clashes between the two leaders at the ministry," international relations expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Bantarto Bandoro said.

Lawmaker Sidarto Danusubroto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) doubted the position was really aimed at enhancing the work of the ministry, saying more likely it was to create a position for a political appointee.

"Not just at the foreign ministry; we will hear of other vice ministers at other ministries," he said.

An official close to the decision process said the President needed a political appointee who was a respectable lawmaker to handle foreign issues of the House's concern, such as Iranian nuclear capability, the border issue with Singapore and Kosovo's independence.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.