Jakarta. Indonesia’s House of Representatives has approved 24 ambassadorial candidates to represent the country abroad, clearing the final hurdle after the nominees passed fit-and-proper tests, Deputy Speaker Adies Kadir confirmed on Tuesday.

The approval came during the DPR’s 23rd plenary session of the 2024–2025 legislative year. In line with parliamentary procedures, the names were not read aloud but submitted directly to the leadership, who will forward them to the government for formal appointment and swearing-in.

“All candidates passed the fit-and-proper test and have been accepted as ambassadors as proposed by the government,” Adies said, adding that while there were some notes on certain nominees, all had met the required qualifications.

Among the notable appointments is Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Gina Yoginda, who will serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to North Korea. The post has been vacant since Berlian Napitupulu, appointed in 2019, and her staff were withdrawn in 2021 when Pyongyang imposed strict COVID-19 lockdowns that suspended diplomatic activities.

Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, an Indonesian anthropologist and diplomat, has been appointed ambassador to Japan. Kartini, a graduate of the University of Indonesia and Harvard University, previously served as an adviser to Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and is known for her work on environmental issues, indigenous rights, and climate diplomacy.

In a strategic posting, President Prabowo Subianto has tapped Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo, a seasoned technocrat and former coordinating minister for maritime affairs, to serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to the United States. The position in Washington, D.C., has been vacant for two years following the departure of Rosan Roeslani, who became deputy minister for state-owned enterprises in 2023. Indroyono’s appointment comes at a critical time as Jakarta looks to strengthen strategic ties with Washington while managing potential trade challenges.

The approved ambassadorial candidates are:

• Judha Nugraha – Abu Dhabi (UAE)

• Yusron Ambary – Algiers (Algeria)

• Berlian Helmy – Baku (Azerbaijan)

• Hari Prabowo – Bangkok (Thailand)

• Abdul Kadir Jaelani – Berlin (Germany)

• Andhika Chrisnayudhanto – Brasília (Brazil)

• Redianto Heru Nurchayo – Bratislava (Slovakia)

• Andi Rachmianto – Brussels (Belgium)

• Lukman Hakim – Damascus (Syria)

• Laurentius Amrih Jinangkung – The Hague (Netherlands)

• Listyowati – Dhaka (Bangladesh)

• Syahda Guruh Langkah Samudera – Doha (Qatar)

• Adam Mulawarman Tugio – Hanoi (Vietnam)

• Kuncoro Giri Waseso – Cairo (Egypt)

• Raden Dato Mohammad Oman Hascarya Kusumo – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

• Andi Rahadian – Muscat (Oman)

• Okto Dorinus Manik – Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)

• Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro – Indonesia’s Mission to the UN in Geneva

• Umar Hadi – Indonesia’s Mission to the UN in New York

• Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Gina Yoginda – Pyongyang (North Korea)

• Imam Ashari – Quito (Ecuador)

• Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Hormangaraja Panjaitan – Singapore

• Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir – Tokyo (Japan)

• Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo – Washington, D.C. (United States)

The government is expected to formally appoint and swear in the ambassadors in the coming weeks before they take up their posts abroad.