Partisan Envoys

Patrice Rio Capella was enjoying his year-end holiday in Munich, Germany, when he received a call from Jakarta. At the end of line was Andi Widjajantothen the cabinet secretarywho wanted Patrice to recommend three politicians from the National Democrat (NasDem) Party for ambassadorships abroad. The NasDem Secretary-General wanted to know which countries were available. "That will be determined by the President." Patrice quoted Andi as saying.

Soon afterward, Patrice contacted NasDem chief Surya Paloh, who was vacationing in London. Surya gave Patrice permission to identify suitable candidates. Patrice ended up submitting two names, after which he was not consulted again.

August 25, 2015