Page 9 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Diplomatic Roles of the House of

Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia
at Global Stage

Dr. Fadli Zon
The Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia
Coordinator of Political and Legal and Security Affairs

Amid the strengthening global governance structures and an increasingly complex
world order, diplomacy is a central aspect of every state institution. Traditional
diplomacy approaches that emphasize on the exclusive role of executive institutions
have become increasingly inadequate. This is what then prompted the involvement
of multiple actors in diplomatic activities. Whether it is the executive, legislature,
or judiciary, it is equally important to exercise diplomatic roles in accordance with
each state institution’s capacity. Solid collaboration among state institutions will further encourage
the achievement of national interests at the global stage. Within this framework, parliamentary
diplomacy certainly has a highly strategic role.

A review of current literature will reveal two underlying principles of the role of parliamentary
diplomacy. Firstly, it is the principle of legal nature, and secondly the principle of political nature.
The principle of legal nature emphasizes parliamentary rights to ratify international laws, while
the principle of political nature emphasizes its rights in formulating foreign policy. These two
principles form the basis for any parliament to carry out its role in “democratizing” foreign policy
exercised by the executive.

Diplomacy of the Indonesian House of Representatives in support of
the Indonesian Foreign Policy

As an institution that represents democracy in Indonesia, the functions of the Indonesia House of
Representatives are regulated by Article 20A of the 1945 Constitution. In general, the Indonesian

viii I Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia