The government is set to fill one of its most critical diplomatic posts, nearly two years after the ambassadorial seat in Washington, D.C. was left vacant. 

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, confirmed that the government has finalized names of potential candidates to serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to the United States.

“We’ve received information from the government that some important posts, including the one for the United States, already have designated candidates. They will soon be submitted to the DPR to proceed with the appropriate mechanisms,” Dasco told reporters at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Dasco said the House has been informally notified by the executive branch regarding the proposed names. The official list, however, has yet to be submitted through formal channels.

When asked whether the candidates’ names had already reached the parliament, Dasco replied, “They’ve been communicated, but we are still waiting for the official submission from the government. As for the number of candidates, we’ll know once it’s officially received.”

Once the formal documents are submitted, the names will be processed by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Commission I of the House. Candidates will be required to undergo a fit and proper test, a standard vetting procedure for senior diplomatic and government appointments.

"Given the strategic importance of the post, there will certainly be essential qualifications and requirements that will be conveyed during the assessment process," Dasco cited.

The House is scheduled to hold internal leadership and committee meetings this week to begin reviewing submissions as the new legislative session gets underway.

The Indonesian ambassadorial position in Washington has remained vacant since Rosan P. Roeslani completed his term on July 17, 2023. The prolonged vacancy has drawn criticism from foreign policy observers, citing the need for stable and senior representation in one of Indonesia’s most crucial bilateral relationships.

Indonesia and the United States maintain robust ties, ranging from defense and education cooperation to trade and investment partnerships. Analysts argue that the absence of a permanent ambassador has limited Indonesia’s ability to effectively navigate diplomatic and economic challenges in Washington.

The selection of a new envoy comes amid renewed efforts by the government to strengthen the country’sglobal diplomatic presence, especially in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and regional security concerns.