Refuse Any Intervention, President Jokowi Commanded to Recall Ambassador Toto Riyanto from Brazil

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Ambassador Toto answer journalist question at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/2)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) disappointed by the refusal of the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff on submission of credentials Ambassador Toto Riyanto to that country, at the Presidential Palace of Brazil on Friday (20/2) at 09.00 local time.

“Yes (I’m disappointed) because he (Toto Riyanto) has arrived at the venue and then rejected,” President Jokowi said after receiving the Ambassador of Indonesia to Brazil, Toto Riyanto, who was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/2).

President Jokowi considered that refusal credential of Indonesian ambassador when he arrives at the Presidential Palace was a big problem, because it involves the honor of the nation. Therefore, the President immediately took the decision to recall Ambassador Toto Riyanto to Jakarta.

“On Friday night I heard the news about the refusal credential from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I instructed our Ambassador in Brazil to be drawn to the homeland,” Jokowi said.

Regarding the possibility of sending back Ambassador Toto Riyanto to Brazil, President Jokowi said the government is still waiting for further developments. Therefore, he could not determine how long Ambassador of Indonesia to Brazil, Toto Riyanto be drawn.

However, President Jokowi asserted, he refuses the intervention of any country related with the policy to refuse to grant clemency for death row of drug.

About the implementation of the re-execution of convicted of drug, President Jokowi asked reporters to ask to the executor (the prosecutor). However, he asserted there will be no delays due to political pressure.

Very Disappointed

Meanwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi said that President Jokowi disappointed knowing refusal submission of credentials of Indonesian Ambassador Toto Riyanto to Brazil to the President of Brazil.

“It is a matter of nation prestige and sovereignty of the nation, as the ambassadors present in the country of destination placement not on behalf of private but bring credentials of President of Indonesia,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi said, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/2).

Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that Indonesian government does not understand why this problem can occur. Because, it never happened before. “We delivered a strong protest,” he said.

The protest was carried out directly by recall the Ambassador Toto Riyanto from Brazil as  soon as possible. While on the same day, Friday, Foreign Minister also directly calls the Brazilian Ambassador in Jakarta to ask his president’s attitude.

Moreover, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the government also submitted a letter of protest to the government of Brazil, which is delivered via the Ambassador of Brazil (*/ES)