Jakarta (ANTARA) - Newly inaugurated Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) member Gandi Sulistiyanto affirmed that he would complete all remaining obligations as Indonesian ambassador to South Korea before commencing his duty in the advisory council.

"I will complete all remaining or incomplete obligations, including administrative or negotiation duties. Hence, I will still join the coordinating minister of economic affairs, trade minister, and industry minister's upcoming joint commission meeting agenda in Seoul," Sulistiyanto stated at the Presidential Palace here on Monday.

Replacing Wantimpres member Arifin Panigoro, who died during his term in office in 2022, Sulistiyanto said he is still awaiting instructions from Wantimpres Chairperson Wiranto regarding his upcoming duties in the council.

"Regarding my duties and obligations, I am still waiting for the Wantimpres head's instruction. I will join a plenary meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. local time, where I will receive the instruction from the council head," he remarked.

Sulistiyanto admitted that he still needs to learn more about his duties and obligations as a Wantimpres member.

"I was informed two days ago by the state secretariat minister, who only asked me to return and stand by in Indonesia, as I was in Seoul. Only last night, I learned that I would be inducted to Wantimpres," he expounded.

He also said to have not had any idea as to who would replace him as ambassador to South Korea, as the process was ongoing.

"I believe this is my devotion to the people and the state. I will do my best for every office given to me," Sulistiyanto emphasized.

Apart from Sulistiyanto, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also inducted former minister Djan Faridz to Wantimpres during the inauguration ceremony on Monday.

Born in Pekalongan, Central Java, in 1960, Sulistiyanto served as Indonesian ambassador to South Korea from November 2021 until his induction as Wantimpres member. He earlier worked in private enterprises.

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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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