JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo and his entourage flew to the United States (US) by chartering a Garuda aircraft of the Boeing 777-300ER type and not using a presidential plane.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (Kasetpres) Heru Budi Hartono explained that Jokowi could not use the presidential plane to attend the ASEAN-US Summit because the number of groups was quite large and the flight distance was very long.
"It's a very long journey. If you use the presidential plane, you can make two transits. Then, the presidential plane can only fit 48 people, while the team has 62 people," Heru told reporters, Tuesday, May 10.
Then, by using a Garuda plane, the advance team who first flew to the US could also return to the country with Jokowi's entourage.
"All ministers who participate can take one plane back and forth and the advance team will come back with the plane, making it more efficient," said Heru.
For information, President Joko Widodo left for Washington DC, United States of America this morning. Accompanied by Iriana Joko Widodo, Jokowi flew from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang.
During his visit to America, Jokowi was also accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, and Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia.
In addition, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Military Secretary of the President Marsda TNI M. Tonny Harjono, Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Head of State Protocol Andi Rachmianto, Commander of Paspampres Major General TNI Tri Budi Utomo, Personal Secretary of President Anggit Noegroho, and Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media at the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has been in the US to prepare for the President's working visit.
In America later, Jokowi said that he would attend a series of meetings of the ASEAN-US Special Summit (AUSS) for two days.
The series of meetings that Jokowi will attend include meetings with members of congress, meetings with major American CEOs, meetings with Vice President Harris and the American Climate Change Team, and a High Level meeting of ASEAN Leaders and President Biden.
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