President's video conferences not state burden: Minister
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government said on Wednesday the video conferences President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is holding to lead Cabinet meetings during his trip to the U.S. will not burden the state budget, as the Golkar Party reaffirmed its allegiance to the President.
Cabinet Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the video conference technology cost an estimated Rp 426.4 million (about US$42,600) for long-distance conversations between the President and his ministers, to be held daily from Monday to Friday.
"The government managed to get a low price for the video conference facilities thanks to a discount and free service from the providers," said Yusril after a video conference meeting with Susilo on Wednesday.
Yusril said PT Indosat, one of two vendors providing the facilities, was providing between a 50 percent and 70 percent discount for the service. The other vendor, PT Excelcomindo Pratama, has waived all charges for the government.
"The decision by the two providers, especially PT Excelcomindo, is part of their commitment to helping the government. The government hereby announces that we are grateful for their assistance," Yusril said.
The video conferences were prepared by the State Secretariat and the presidential office before Susilo left for the United States on Saturday.
Several lawmakers and analysts have questioned the video conferences, which they said could lead people to conclude the President had lost trust in his aides at home.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla dismissed such speculation, saying there was no rift between him and Susilo.
"It is not true. The President wants to get the latest information directly from his ministers. That is why he came up with the video conference idea," Kalla said after a function held by the Golkar Party, which he leads.
Kalla also defended the President's decision to use the facility, saying its benefits exceeded the costs.
"It is an efficient information technology as it enables the President to get information on the latest issues at home," he said.
Golkar secretary-general Soemarsono also dismissed criticism that the video conferences reflected Susilo's distrust in his aides.
"The rumors are baseless. The President trusts the Vice President very much and the Vice President is very loyal to the President. I know that for sure," he said.
But a group of House lawmakers were not satisfied with the denials. At least 13 legislators from various factions, including Golkar, said on Wednesday they would file a motion to question the President over his decision to preside over Cabinet meetings through video conferences, saying it was a waste of state funds and could be viewed as an insult to the Vice President.
One of the lawmakers, Ali Mochtar Ngabalin of the United Development Party, said the issues discussed in the Cabinet meetings were not urgent, thus leading to the assumption that the Vice President was incapable of temporarily filling in for the President.
An interpellation motion requires support from at least 17 legislators, and requires the approval of the House to take effect.