President's video conferences not state burden: Minister

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.