Commission II Of The House Of Representatives Supports The Travel Of The Foreign Service Of State Officials Must Be Permitted By President Prabowo

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II DPR RI from PKB, Eko Widodo fully supports President Prabowo Subianto's decision to tighten overseas official travel (PDLN) for state officials. In this case, PDLN state officials must have the permission of the president.

According to him, the examples of state officials will be the key to the success of the policy and lead to savings.

President Prabowo's policy to tighten PDLN will save a lot of state spending. Thus, the allocation of priority programs in Asta Cita such as free nutritious food, food self-sufficiency, and energy self-sufficiency can be greater," said Eko Widodo, Saturday, December 28.

As is known, the Ministry of State Secretariat officially issued a letter to tighten official travel abroad on Monday, December 23. The letter states that State Civil Apparatus (ASN), State Officials, or other parties who will travel by the Foreign Service must obtain the President's permission.

This letter is a follow-up to President Prabowo's directive at the two Red and White Cabinet Sessions which will take place on October 23 and November 6, 2024, so that PDLN is tightened and limited in order to carry out priority programs that bring prosperity to the community.

"We certainly fully support President Prabowo's policy, because so far the cost of PDLN is very large and is often in the public spotlight," said Eko Widodo.

The man who is familiarly called Edo revealed that the order to tighten and restrict PDLN participants was very realistic in the midst of the country's economic condition which was not doing well. Moreover, the current spotlight on the government is high regarding plans to increase various levies and taxes.

"PLN is necessary, but because the costs are very large, then orders for tightening and restrictions must be supported. This order will be successful if high state officials can be role models," he said.

Edo explained that the cost of PDLN for state officials, ASN, or other parties is quite large. As an illustration, the cost of PDLN to the UK, for example for class A is 792 US dollars or equivalent to Rp 11,620,224 per day x no later than 7 days Rp. 81,341,568 / participants.

While going to Italy for group A costs US$702 or equivalent to Rp. 10,299,744 per day. The United States for group A is US$659 per day or equivalent to Rp. 10,200,000 per day.

"If the average cost of PDLN for 10 participants x 7 days is IDR 750 million for one trip. For example, the financing is limited to 50 percent, it will save IDR 375 million. This budget can be used by the PUPR Ministry's Home Renovation Program for 12 units worth IDR 30 million/unit for a 4x6 meter house size," explained Edo.

Overseas official travel, said Edo, can still be done for the benefit of those who have certain urgency. State officials can do PDLN to produce clear benefits in supporting government performance, especially improving people's welfare.

"In addition to being strict and limited, PDLN must be carried out effectively, efficiently, and selectively," concluded Edo.