Lilian Budianto and Dicky Christanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 03/25/2010 9:33 AM
An ongoing criminal investigation implicating Indonesian Ambassador to China Imron Cotan has delayed his departure to Beijing, with legislators voicing concerns on possible adverse impacts on bilateral relations between the two countries.
The absence of an ambassador representing Indonesia in China would impede bilateral relations, which has been stepped up with the signing of strategic partnership action plan between Jakarta and Beijing earlier this year, legislators said.
Further, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao plans to visit Jakarta in the third week of April, during which Jakarta and Beijing will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.
Effendi Choirie, a legislator from the National Awakening Party (PKB), said Imron could leave for Beijing as he has not been named a suspect in the graft case.
“The government will be faced with a predicament if an ambassador departs for an overseas post when he has not been cleared of involvement in a crime. But we don’t know when he will be cleared of the allegations so I think the best option at this time would be to allow him to leave for his post.”
Imron Cotan has been questioned by the Attorney General’s Office as a witness in the US$2.2 million airfare graft case, which has also implicated a number of high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials.
“He is still a witness, There has been no change of status,” AGO spokesman Didiek Hermanto said Wednesday.
Muzzammil Yusuf, a legislator from the Prosperous Justice Party, (PKS) said the government should clarify whether Imron was allowed to leave for his overseas post.
“The government should immediately clarify when he may leave and in the meantime, continue investigating. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono can consult with the AGO on the progress of the case and determine when Imron can take up his post,” he said.
Muzzammil said he believed China would not object to having Imron as Indonesia’s chief envoy there, despite the case.
“Imron has been designated ambassador by the government and he meets all requirements posed by the House of Representatives. He brings credentials that will be welcomed by the Chinese government.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said he was not aware of when Imron would depart, but said the absence of an ambassador to China had not affected bilateral relations.
“Officials in Beijing and in Jakarta are working to cover bilateral agreements between both countries, including the planned state visit” by the Chinese PM, he said.
Faizasyah said with the absence of an ambassador in China, the highest representative of the Indonesian government was the chargé d’affaires, Mayerfas.
