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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesian President Covers Extra Travel Costs Personally, Official Says

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya clarified that President Prabowo Subianto personally covers any additional expenses for his overseas trips beyond the state budget.
  • This statement addresses concerns raised by former deputy foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal regarding the cost of the president's international travel.
  • Indra Wijaya also noted that the number of accompanying personnel on these trips has been reduced compared to previous administrations.

Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has reiterated that President Prabowo Subianto personally shoulders any additional costs incurred during his overseas visits that exceed the state's allocated budget.

The issue of overseas costs. This has been explained several times. So, any excess costs (additional costs) from what the state has budgeted are fully borne by President Prabowo personally.

— Teddy Indra WijayaClarifying the financial responsibility for the president's international travel expenses.

Wijaya's clarification aims to dispel various issues surrounding the financing of the president's international travel. He emphasized that any extra expenses beyond what the state has budgeted are fully covered by Prabowo himself. This statement comes in response to concerns voiced by Dino Patti Djalal, a former deputy foreign minister, who had questioned the significant costs associated with the president's trips in a social media video.

Furthermore, Wijaya highlighted a reduction in the size of the presidential entourage. He stated that while previous administrations might have sent over 120 people on international trips, President Prabowo's delegations typically range from 50 to 60 individuals maximum. This streamlining, he suggested, contributes to managing the overall expenditure.

So, if in the past, one trip abroad could involve more than 120 people. That was the situation during Mr. Dino's time. Now, during President Prabowo's term, the number is between 50 to 60 people maximum.

— Teddy Indra WijayaComparing the size of presidential delegations to previous administrations.

Indra Wijaya also underscored the importance of these international visits in fostering close relationships between world leaders and their respective nations. He noted that such diplomatic engagement is crucial given the current global dynamics, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Strong international ties, he explained, can ensure stable fuel supplies, prevent increases in subsidized fuel prices, and secure food provisions for Indonesia. He also mentioned the progress of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which aims for zero tariffs on key Indonesian commodities starting in 2027.

The Head of State's visits are conducted, among other things, to build close relationships between world leaders and their respective countries.

— Teddy Indra WijayaExplaining the purpose of the president's international engagements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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