Cut overseas travel

Cut overseas travel

From Media Indonesia

In line with efforts to practice economy in using state funds, as suggested by President Soeharto, I see a sector in the budget that can be more efficiently used, i.e. funds allotted for overseas journeys usually made by high ranking officials. Everybody knows that those who go on an overseas duty tend to be extravagant. Therefore I would like to make the following suggestions.

* High ranking officials who make overseas journeys should take business class instead of first class. If the aircraft has only two classes -- first and economy classes, the official should take economy class. Then as a compensation for the tiring journey, the official should be allowed to spend one night in a five-star hotel. It should be noted that the price of a first class ticket is 50 to 60 percent higher than that of business class. This difference is higher than the price of one night's stay in a five-star hotel. The official should stay in a four- star hotel or even three-star hotel, particularly in Asia, because those hotels are good enough for Indonesian officials.

* Overseas journeys should be planned a long time in advance, so that non-endorsable tickets can be procured. A non-endorsable ticket is 30 to 50 percent cheaper than an endorsable ticket.

* Officials of the first echelon and lower should use non- endorsable economy class. While high officials can take business class.

* Officials should not bring their wives if the journey lasts less than four days.

* In an emergency case, an exception is allowed. For example, a high official can make an immediate journey using an endorsable ticket in business or even first class when he, by presidential order, has to attend a burial ceremony of a head of state or a leader of a friendly country.

MUHAMMAD RIDHWAN INDRA

Jakarta