TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto was recently rumored to be a candidate for Indonesian Ambassador to Spain. In addition, PDIP politician Zuhairi Misrawi was also said to be a candidate for the Ambassador to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that it could not confirm the names of the ambassador candidates circulating in the public.

"In the implementation and diplomacy, the names of prospective ambassadors are not disclosed to the public at least until the process of approval request from the intended country is obtained," said the ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah via a text message on Friday, February 19, 2021.

Other than Terawan, the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani was rumored to fill the post of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC, in replacement of Muhammad Lutfi who is now Minister of Trade. Lutfi was withdrawn home even though he had only served as the U.S. Ambassador for about three months.

In addition, Director General of Law and International Treaties (Dirjen HPI) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Damos Dumoli Agusman, was also said to be a candidate for the Indonesian Ambassador to Vienna, Austria.

Until now, Tempo was still trying to confirm these names to those concerned. The House of Representatives (DPR) was in the recess period, so if government letters regarding the implementation of the fit and proper test of the candidates arrived, it would only be processed at the next session.

Also Read: BPOM Comments on Candidate Vaccine by Former Health Minister Terawan

DEWI NURITA