Protection To Be The Core Of Indonesian Diplomacy, Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Indonesia: Our Diplomat Beyond The Call Of Duty

Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Ch. Nasir. (VOI/AFI)

JAKARTA - The protection of Indonesia's interests, including Indonesian citizens (WNI), has become core, DNA from diplomacy and Indonesian diplomats, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Ch. Nasir, recalls that the work of Indonesian diplomats abroad is considered more than his duties.

Speaking in his presentation on the achievements of Indonesian citizens' services and protection abroad throughout 2024 at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Indonesia currently has 132 representatives worldwide.

Of these, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Arrmanatha, said that there were 129 representatives who directly protected Indonesian citizens (WNI) and Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

He explained that one of the cores, DNA from Indonesian diplomacy is to protect Indonesia's interests, one of the main things is to protect Indonesian citizens.

"Indonesia's diplomatic priority will always have elements to protect Indonesian citizens," said Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha, Thursday, February 13.

"The protection of Indonesian citizens is absolute in Indonesian diplomacy and as stated in Asta Cita," he continued.

In the Annual Press Statement of the Indonesian Foreign Minister on January 10, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said that the protection of Indonesian citizens is an absolute thing in Indonesian diplomacy, being one of Asta Cita's priorities.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will strengthen anticipatory policies, build comprehensive protection systems and utilize regional mechanisms to deal with transnational crimes," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister at the time.

"Over the past year, 137 Indonesian citizens were rescued from the death penalty abroad," said the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, who is familiarly called Pak Tata.

"If I remember when I was still a spokesman, I participated in handling cases, many of our diplomats, if I could convey (work) more than what they had to do, beyond the call of duty, in an effort to help free or reduce the sentence of Indonesian citizens," recalled Mr. Tata.

"Some have reached an approach to the (victim's) family, regularly bringing food, cooking the victim's family," he said.

On the other hand, there are still 157 Indonesian citizens abroad who are threatened with the death penalty, or the case is still rolling. The details, 111 cases related to drugs and 46 other cases of murder.

Of that number, 147 cases were in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (3), Saudi Arabia (2), Laos (4) and Vietnam (1).

Of the 137 Indonesian citizens who were rescued from the death penalty last year, the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha said, "62 people were released and 75 people were sentenced to decrease in Malaysia".

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia added that for 2025 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will strengthen governance and protective diplomacy.

For example, building a safe, regular and regular migration corridor in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions.

There is also the construction of a comprehensive and synergistic Indonesian service and protection system, prioritizing aspects of partiality to victims and gender responsiveness.

Next, strengthen the crisis response team's function to ensure the speed and accuracy of responses to various emergency situations abroad, strengthen diplomacy, and strengthen the service infrastructure and protection of Indonesian citizens in 29 Integrated Protection Representatives that have large case challenges.