JAKARTA - The government has confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto prioritizes budget efficiency in every foreign visit by only using one main aircraft, not two state aircraft as widely reported.
Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya denied the news that the President traveled with two state planes. According to him, the information is not in accordance with the operational facts on the ground.
Teddy explained that from the beginning of his term, Prabowo actually pressured the cost of state official travel. In the early phase, the President used a private company plane and one Boeing 737 TNI AU plane that specifically transported security equipment and protocols, not the presidential plane.
"It's not a presidential plane. It's just for technical support and security," he said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 2.
In the past year, for long-distance flights, the President has consistently used one Boeing 777 type national airline Garuda Indonesia aircraft with a regular commercial configuration, without VIP modifications. This step is called a more economical choice while showing confidence in the national airline.
In addition to the fleet, the number of entourage was also significantly reduced. Only the truly essential elements took part, such as security, protocols, medical teams, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and journalists. Additional devices and logistics in the country were transported separately using military aircraft.
Teddy emphasized that the policy was part of the President's direct direction that official travel should not burden the state budget.
"The principle is efficient and necessary. One main aircraft is sufficient," he said.
Regarding the issue of backup aircraft, Teddy explained that it was a standard safety procedure for heads of state, not that the President always flew with two aircraft.
With this pattern, the government ensures that foreign visits remain effective and safe, but still prioritize savings in state spending.
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