Deputy Chair of DPR's Commission I, Anton Sukartono, underlined that ambassadors serve a vital role in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as they are tasked with protecting Indonesian citizens overseas and promoting the country’s national interests through diplomacy.
"I want the vacant positions to be filled immediately, no matter what," Sukartono told the minister during a meeting at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Monday.
He noted that 12 embassies are currently operating without definitive leaders, including the Indonesian embassy in Washington D.C., which has remained vacant since its former ambassador, Rosan Roeslani, was appointed Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises.
Sukartono also drew attention to vacancies at the Indonesian UN mission in New York and the embassy in Germany, formerly led by Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir and Arief Havas Oegroseno, respectively. Both were appointed Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs by President Prabowo Subianto in 2024.
He further highlighted the absence of a permanent representative to the UN in Geneva since Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard left the post to serve as Deputy Minister of National Development Planning.
"The position of Indonesian ambassador to North Korea has also remained vacant since a recall prompted by COVID-19 in 2021," he added.
Sukartono further stressed the need for Minister Sugiono to prepare successors for ambassadors nearing the end of their terms, noting that ambassadorial appointments require time due to the fit-and-proper test process.
While acknowledging that President Prabowo has sole authority to appoint ambassadors, he urged Minister Sugiono to maintain close coordination with the president regarding upcoming appointments.
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Translator: Bagus A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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