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)