TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo should not have taken his family along on his state visits to Turkey and Germany. Whatever the excuse, this does not reflect the simple lifestyle of a leader that he often suggested, especially at a time of economic uncertainty and the threat of a widening budget deficit.
Even if the accommodation for Jokowi's family was not paid for by the state, it is difficult to justify this conduct. The total bill for his family, including daughter-in-law and grandchildren, for the five-day European visit on July 5-9 was clearly no small amount. This is completely at odds with the government message for people to tighten their belts.
In legal terms, he did nothing wrong. Law No. 7/1978 on the Financial and Administrative Rights of the President, the Vice President and former Presidents and Vice Presidents which is often used to justify this practice does not state clearly whether the head of state can take his or her family along on state visits.
Finance Ministerial Regulation No. 164/PMK.05/2015 on the Organization of Overseas Official Journeys cannot be used as a guideline. Based on the general provisions and scope of official journeys in this regulation, the President and Vice President are not included among the state officials bound by it. Although there is no explicit ban, President Jokowi should have realized that taking his family on a state visit would trigger a public debate.
Jokowi should not follow the example of previous presidents. From Sukarno to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, taking the family on state visits was nothing out of the ordinary. One reason given was that the President and Vice Presidents were close to their families. Even if it is allowed under the rules, inviting family members on official visits using the presidential airplane should be avoided. State facilities should not be used for family needs.
The Palace has clarified that the costs of travel and accommodation were paid for personally by the President. But even if the cost of food and lodging was covered by private funds, it is difficult to imagine that the family members paid for the use of the presidential airplane. Does the Palace have a way to receive such additional payments? It would be better if these family members had flown commercially, not in the presidential jet.
If the family members went along to Europe because they had been specifically invited, then the Palace should say so. The public also has a right to know if their activities were directly linked to the President's official visit. The Palace Press Office could also explain which regulations allowed these family members to accompany the President, along with the sources of funding and their itinerary.
But the Palace is hiding behind vague regulations. President Joko Widodo should immediately issue a clearer regulation on the facilities extended to the President and his or her family. As our head of state, Jokowi needs to set a good example for transparency with the highest standard.
Read the full story in this week’s edition of Tempo English Magazine
