No Cabinet seat for vice minister

Abdul Khalik and Lilian Budianto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/25/2008 12:44 PM  |  Headlines

The newly created post of vice foreign minister will be a structural position and will not be part of the Cabinet, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Monday.

"It is an echelon I job and not a political appointee. The person appointed to the position will be taken from inside the Foreign Ministry," Hassan said during a hearing with members of the House of Representatives' Commission I on defense, security and foreign affairs.

Echelon I is the highest rank in the bureaucracy and includes positions such as inspector general and director general.

Hassan's statement came after intense speculation President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would handpick the appointee from among his political favorites ahead of the 2009 general elections. Several politicians, such as chairman of Commission I Theo Sambuaga of Golkar Party, have been touted as strong candidates.

Since Hassan's insistence a career diplomat will take the job, several names from inside the ministry have emerged.

Names of young diplomats such as Ambassador to the United Nations Marty Natalegawa and presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal were circulated Sunday.

However, an official said Monday a senior diplomat, such as the country's Permanent Representative to International Organizations Makarim Wibisono or Ambassador to Austria Triyono Wibowo, was likely to assume the post.

"The two diplomats are the most senior among us after the foreign minister. They have the best chance," the diplomat said.

Slamet Effendi Yusuf of Golkar Party said the minister did not appear to need an additional assistant, as his deputies including the directors general and inspector general seemed ready to help.

"I see there have been many positions from director to director general that oversee all the regions. If there are that many jobs that can't handle the workload, then delegation isn't working at the ministry," he said.

Lawmaker Yuddhi Chrisnandi said he doubted the ministry really needed to create the new position, which would increase state expenditure.

But Hassan assured lawmakers the ministry needed a vice minister to represent him at home and advise the president when he was abroad. He said the ministry had adequate funds to finance the new position without having to seek extra money.

"Beside, if a country invites us, its government will be disappointed if only a director general turns up," he told the lawmakers.

The President signed decrees concerning the new position before his recent 10-day overseas trip.

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