Govt decides not to import luxury cars for G-15 summit

Govt decides not to import luxury cars for G-15 summit

JAKARTA (JP): The government on Tuesday bowed to public
criticism when it decided to cancel plans to import luxury cars
for the G-15 summit in May.

The head of the state secretariat, Djohan Effendi, announced
the cancellation and said the government would instead borrow
official cars of high state functionaries, including ministers
and lawmakers.

Reports that President Abdurrahman Wahid had issued a permit
for specific car importers to import 400 luxury cars at reduced
import duties last month caused a furor with critics saying such
spending was frivolous amid the economic crisis gripping the
country.

Officials later said that the number of luxury cars to be
imported would be reduced to 50, and later to between 10 or 20.

Djohan said the VIP cars would be borrowed for three weeks and
would each be thoroughly checked and serviced before use.

He said 38 luxury cars would be needed for the 15 visiting
heads of states and other dignitaries during the summit, with
another 38 on standby.

Another 57 less luxurious cars were also needed for ministers,
he added.

The summit will be held on May 30-31. (byg)