Hikmahanto: Irregularities in the Jokowi-Obama Lobbyist Theory

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Professor of International Law, University of Indonesia Hikmahanto Juwana said the article written by Michael Buehler, professor from the University of London had a number of irregularities in them.

On Friday, The New Mandala website reported Buehler’s article entitled ‘Waiting in the White House Lobby’ that Indonesia requested facillitation from Singaporean public relation consultants to set up a meeting between Jokowi and US President Obama.

The professor of Southeast Asian Politics at the University of London, formerly known as the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London said in the website that the Singaporean consultant firm paid US$80,000 to a third party to facilitate the meeting.

Hikmahanto said in a statement on Sunday, November 8, that Buehler’s article that was based on Services Agreement documents between Pereira International Pte Ltd and Las Vegas-based R&R Partners, Inc. had faulty information.

Firstly, according to Hikmahanto, there were no single word in the document that refers to the Government of Indonesia.

Secondly, the document did not describe the relationship between Pereira International Pte Ltd and the Government of Indonesia. But Michael Buehler concludes that this document was the request of the Government of Indonesia.

"Though it is also possible that Pereira International Pte Ltd was hired by Indonesian businesses," said Hikmahanto.

Third, references on the scope of work of the lobbyists, referred to as the consultant, does not refer to a meeting between the President of Indonesia and the President of the United States.

Hikmahanto explained that agreement covers three things, namely arranging meetings with officials both in the legislature and government. Second, address issues when the legislative and government (joint sessions) meet. Third, identify and work with influential figures in the United States.

“Scope of the work was as if it was related to President Jokowi’s visit to the US," he said.

Hikmahanto said Buehler probably arranged his article from the Services Agreement document and other information he obtained from various parties in Indonesia.

On this basis, Buehler argued that President Jokowi has no control in his government. “What was conveyed by Buehler was a lot of speculation and contrary to norms of interstate diplomacy," Hikmahanto said.

Visits between heads of states are not known to be arranged by brokers. It is all arranged through the government and diplomatic channels.

“The story of disharmony between the Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Minister and Foreign Minister are not based on scientific analysis but rather political gossip that Buehler may obtain from the media and friends in Indonesia," he said again.

Thirdly, it is premature when Buehler linked Pereira, a Singaporean with connections with officials in Indonesia, was hired by the Government of Indonesia. Since, again referring to the Services Agreement document, there are no reference to the Indonesian government.

Therefore, Hikmahanto said the government of Indonesia can ask clarification on the issue to Michael Buehler through the Indonesian Embassy in the UK.

“Clarification can be requested through the university where Buehler works. This should be done because it may affect the credibility of the university, although he has academic freedom," said Hikmahanto.

BISNIS.COM