Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The DPR RI provided clarification regarding the presence of the Knesset delegation in Bali in 2022. The DPR stated that the Israeli Parliament Representative did not come at an official invitation from Indonesia, but was present as a delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) who held the event.
This clarification at the same time refuted the Israeli Parliament’s unilateral claim that they were coming to the 144th General Session of the IPU at BICC, Nusa Dua, Bali as an official visit.
“The 144th IPU meeting is a regular IPU meeting, which will be held in Bali in 2022. At that time, the DPR RI as the host only acted as the General Assembly,” said DPR Secretary General Indra Iskandar, Monday (27/3/2023).
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO RESUME CONTENT
He explained, the 144th IPU General Assembly was held from 20 to 24 March 2022 with the theme ‘Getting to Zero: Mobilizing Parliament to Act on Climate Change’. More than 110 state representatives attended the 144th General Assembly at the invitation of the IPU, including a delegation from Israel.
Therefore, Indra denied reports that Israel had made an official visit to Indonesia in the 144th meeting of the IPU. Because the Israeli representative attended as an invitation from the IPU which is an international forum in charge of interstate political negotiations.
As Chair of the General Assembly, the Speaker of the DPR RI Puan Maharani only carried out her duties to lead the course of the 144th IPU General Session. Indra explained, invitations for participants to attend the General Assembly were issued by the IPU President and IPU Secretary General.
“The agenda is also determined by the IPU, with input from the host country. Before becoming the host, we signed the MoU Host Country Agreement whose contents, among other things, will accept the presence of all IPU members,” explained Indra.
“During the holding of the 144th IPU in Bali, Mrs. Puan did not have physical contact with the Israeli Parliament delegation, let alone warmly welcome,” he added.
When the 144th IPU in Bali took place, continued Indra, participant registration was taken care of directly by the IPU secretariat.
“So those who screened after that the list of participants was given to Indonesia,” explained Indra.
In fact, according to him, the Israeli Parliament participants before attending the IPU General Session must first be sent to the clearing house as the Interkem Team whose task is to provide visas for several sensitive countries.
Indra said the clearing house consisted of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenhumham), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), National Police, BIN, and other related institutions.
“After getting the acc from the clearing house, they can only enter Indonesia,” he said.
Indra ensured that participation in such a procedure had also occurred in UN meetings held in Indonesia so far.
“So it is not true that the DPR RI accepts a state visit from the Knesset or the Israeli Parliament because Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel,” said Indra.
As is known, the DPR RI successfully held the 144th IPU General Session in Bali 2022. One of the products of the IPU General Session was the birth of the ‘Bali Nusa Dua Declaration’, which was determined to be the main product of the trial results.
The 144th IPU also discussed issues that are currently a challenge to the world, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Chairperson of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani herself, also continued to emphasize the issue of world peace during the 144th IPU General Assembly.
During the IPU session, Puan said that the promotion of peace and security is important to be a common concern.
“And how does Parliament contribute to building trust between conflicting parties,” Puan said at the 144th IPU General Assembly, last year.
Apart from that, another important issue discussed was the acceleration of ending the Covid-19 pandemic through equality of vaccines in all countries. He also stressed the importance of strengthening democracy and respect for human rights which were faced with various challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Puan said the 144th IPU Assembly could be a momentum for Parliament to spread a ‘culture of peace’ which always promotes tolerance and dialogue, and rejects violence. He alluded to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Through peaceful efforts, this IPU Assembly meeting is pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine. Of course we hope the war will end soon, and a ceasefire will be established,” said Bung Karno’s grandson.
Puan also stressed the importance of respecting international law, the UN charter, and the need to strengthen territorial integrity to reach a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also touched on the issue of Palestinian independence.
“However, we must not forget to resolve conflicts in other parts of the world. This meeting can also urge the achievement of full Palestinian independence,” said Puan.
(osc/osc)