Indonesia Should Keep Ambassadorial Post In Brazil Vacant: Law Expert

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The nation's dignity should be the Indonesian Government's priority by keeping its vacant ambassadorial post in Brasilia remain left empty until the Brazilian president apologized for her unacceptable act, a law expert said here Tuesday.

"At the moment, it is better for our government not to send Ambassador Toto Riyanto back to Brazil until the apology is made by the Brazilian president and government," Hikmahanto Juwana, law professor at the University of Indonesia, said.

The nation's dignity should be the priority so that the best choice for Jakarta is maintaining the ambassadorial post to remain vacant, he said in response to the two countries' diplomatic row over the execution of a Brazilian drug convict.

Indonesia has withdrawn its ambassador to Brazil after President Dilma Rousseff abruptly postponed the presentation of the credentials by Ambassador Toto Riyanto despite the fact that he was formally invited to present his credentials at a ceremony in the Presidential Palace of Brazil at 9.00 AM (Brazilian time) on February 20, 2015.

"The manner in which the Foreign Minister of Brazil suddenly informed the postponement when the Ambassador designate was already at the palace is unacceptable to Indonesia," the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.

According to Hikmahanto Juwana, President Dilma Rousseff has obviously mixed her personal feeling with her capacity as a president.

"The anger or disappointment with the execution of her citizen in Indonesia should not be demonstrated by Dilma in her capacity as the Brazilian president," he said.

He emphasized the importance of having the apology of the Brazilian president and government to Indonesia immediately because, if not, the Indonesian Government might take firmer actions in response to its people and politicians' demands. (WDY)