Social Affairs Ministry Eliminates Overseas Official Trips to Support Efficiency

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has eliminated official trips abroad as a demonstration of support for the national work culture transformation, which emphasises efficiency without reducing the quality of services to the public. “The Ministry of Social Affairs has specifically made the decision that we will not undertake overseas trips. That means our overseas travel is zero percent,” said Social Affairs Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf, familiarly known as Gus Ipul, to reporters after attending the Socialisation of the Kemensos Work Culture Transformation event at the Kemensos Office in Jakarta on Monday. He then stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs would only conduct overseas official trips if they involve invitations from other parties with the travel costs borne by the inviter. In addition to eliminating overseas official trips, Gus Ipul said his side would reduce official trips by 50 percent, in line with national policy provisions. Furthermore, Kemensos is also optimising the implementation of meetings or official activities online. “Thirdly, restrictions on the use of official vehicles, except for operational purposes and electric vehicles,” said Gus Ipul, adding. Previously, the government officially implemented efficiency measures for domestic official trips by up to 50 percent. Meanwhile, for overseas official trips, the government is pushing efficiency up to 70 percent. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto explained that this policy is part of adaptive steps to encourage a more efficient, productive, and digitally-based work culture transformation. In addition to official trips, the government is also implementing mobility efficiency through restrictions on official vehicle usage by up to 50 percent, except for operational purposes and electric vehicles.