Prabowo asks ministers and subordinates not to travel abroad frequently

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto asks ministers and subordinates not to hold excessive seminars and refrain from working visits abroad. In addition, the Head of State also reminds his subordinates not to engage in excessive “leisure” and take more action.

Prabowo said this while speaking at the National Solidarity Movement (GSN) declaration event at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno Complex, Central Jakarta, September 2, 2024.

“Coincidentally, many ministers were present. I also ask your members to refrain from traveling abroad too frequently. If you want to go abroad, you can use your own money,” Prabowo said.

Initially, Prabowo discussed the state budget to be used for free nutritious food programs. However, he noted that millions of children do not have uniforms, making it difficult to attend school.

Prabowo then asked his subordinates to reduce the number of seminars, business trips or monitoring trips abroad that waste budget. “What kind of research are you going to do? You already know what the problem is, don’t do too much research.”

Prabowo admitted that it is indeed difficult to prevent subordinates from traveling abroad. Because he experienced it first hand when his members in Gerindra asked permission to go abroad. Prabowo recalled that several years ago, five members of the Gerindra faction in one constituency applied for permission to travel abroad. Prabowo then refused to allow his party’s legislative cadres to travel abroad.

These five members of the regional legislative council were recently elected in a constituency on one of the islands in the eastern region. They assured Prabowo that they had never been abroad in their lives.

“Oh, the chairman’s heart has softened. “We have the opportunity, sir, there is a plan for all council members to be tested in Hong Kong,” Prabowo said. “Eventually I said, ‘Okay, this is the last time.’ And they went.”

Prabowo said that the most important thing now is not to travel abroad. He said officials’ attention should be focused on solving people’s problems.

“Therefore, please urge all our subordinates to reduce their travel abroad,” Prabowo said.

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