TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the issue of Minister Retno Marsudi's resignation from the Indonesia Onward Cabinet. Spokesperson Lalu M. Iqbal indirectly denied the news by presenting the minister's schedule.

Tempo's journalist cited several sources from diplomats to state officials who confirmed the issue during Saturday's podcast Bocor Alus Politik. One of the journalists said it was "because of her closeness with PDIP".

"This is the most frequently asked question this past two weeks," Iqbal said on Monday.

Responding to the rumor, Iqbal explained that Minister Retno Marsudi has just visited Luang Prabang, Laos to attend the ASEAN ministerial retreat on January 29, 2024. "Minister Retno must attend as the former chair of ASEAN," he said.

Minister Retno also had a working visit to the Netherlands with Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot to discuss various agendas from oil palm to the situation in Gaza. Retno also discussed Indonesia's membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

From the Netherlands, the minister visited Brussels, Belgium on February 1-2 to attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting. She also holds several bilateral meetings on the sideline.

"From her visits, Minister Retno received strong support from nearly all EU countries concerning Indonesia's membership in OECD," he added.

Minister Retno also has slated agendas, Iqbal said. Those are the hearing for an advisory opinion before the International Court of Justice in the Hague on February 22-23, and representing Indonesia in the Conference on Disarmament afterward.

"Despite the political year [in Indonesia], diplomatic work and overseas politics of Indonesia must not stop," Iqbal concluded. "I hope this answer ended the ongoing speculations about the foreign minister."

NABILLA AZZAHRA

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