TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Firdaus Ilyas, coordinator of budget monitoring and analysis division at the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), said that Youth and Sport Minister Roy Suryo's official trip was a waste because Indonesia does not have to send a minister just to introduce 'pencak silat' to the world.
"Except if there is an agreement between minister-equal state officials after the introduction," Firdaus told Tempo on Monday, September 29, 2014.
Moreover, Roy Suryo's wife was included as the minister's the entourage. "In what context is the minister's family included in that entourage?" he said, adding that in an official trip, the entourage does not need to bring many people.
The aim of the trip, which is to introduce pencak silat, also seems odd. "If it is only to introduce, an attache who works with Indonesian students in destination country under the supervision of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is enough," said Firdaus.
Firdaus also doubted that Roy Suryo fully understood pencak silat. "Sending representatives from Indonesian pencak silat association is far more effective."
Roy Suryo has embarked on an official trip overseas to introduce pencak silat as his term as minister comes to a close. He will visit Czech, Spain and Bulgaria.
DINI PRAMITA