State Secretary: Presidential Plane Saves Presidential Budget

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Secretary of State, Sudi Silalahi, has claimed that the newly-purchased Presidential Plane will help save Rp114.2 billion of presidential budget per year. He said purchasing the plane was more efficient than renting one from Garuda Indonesia. "Also, presidential duty will not interfere the airline's flight schedule," said Sud at Halim Perdana Kusuma.

Sudi said this was the first time that Indonesia owns a Presidential Plane, after declaring independence 69 years ago. The purchase of Boeing 737-800 Business Jet 2 Green, according to Sudi, was based on a precise calculation, involving only few state instututions.

"As a great nation, we can be proud that our president flies with his own plane," he said. The plane was purchased over US$89.6 million or Rp847 billion. The price includes five years of fabrication and modification. The plane itself, apart from being extra convenient, can take on 10,000 kilometers without refueling. While not flying, the plane will be under maintenance of Garuda Indonesia, and is kept at Halim Perdana Kusuma International Airport, Jakarta.

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS