Already Existing Since 2003, Permenlu No.3/2019 Is Not A Rule To Reject Israel: Here's An Explanation From The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia No. 3 of 2019 was not a rule to reject Israel or only specifically regulate the ban on Israel.

Judging from its official name, the regulation reads, Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Number 3 of 2019 concerning General Guidelines for Foreign Relations by the Regional Government. Obviously, this rule is intended for all local governments in Indonesia.

"The name Permenlu is "General Guidelines for Foreign Relations by the Regional Government" and among various things for guided, there are sections or articles regarding Israel and Taiwan," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah to VOI, Thursday, January 6.

He further explained that the regulation first appeared in the early era of reform and regional autonomy, to avoid problems from international activities carried out by local governments.

"If you look at it again, the early era of regional reform and autonomy, many regions, local governments, I mean, those who carry out international activities and that are not regulated and cause problems," explained Faizasyah on Wednesday in Jakarta.

"For example, there are regions exploring foreign loans. Meanwhile, we know that defense matters, international relations affairs, financial affairs, are under the authority of the central government. So to avoid errors in the management of foreign relations by local governments, guidelines are issued, I underline the nature of guidelines, thus, from so many articles related to the guidelines provided, there are also references to Israel and Taiwan," he explained.

"However, the guidelines apply to local governments, not in an international framework. There are already several precedents that we host international activities and the guidelines are not also referred to," he said.

To note, the name Israel is included in the regulation, precisely in Chapter X, Special Things, Point B. RI-Israel relations consisting of three articles. In the same section at Point C, it is regulated regarding RI-Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) Relations which have five articles.

"This is nothing new. Initially it was a decree for internal guidelines in 2003. Then in 2006 it was used as Permenlu and in 2019 there was a revision," said a source familiar with this matter.