President Jokowi to Board Garuda Aircraft to US: Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung (right) accompanies President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo by: PR/Ibrahim).

In response to the circulated photograph of “new” presidential aircraft, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to charter a plane of national carrier PT. Garuda Indonesia,

“President Jokowi will attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit in the US and undertake a state visit in the same country,” Pramono said in Jakarta, Friday (28/2).

According to him, if the President uses the presidential aircraft to travel to the US, it would require three transits and the cost is higher than the cost of boarding a chartered airplane.

“Of course, the entourage will feel more tired and the carrying capacity (of the presidential aircraft) is limited,” Pramono said.

Regarding the detailed costs, Pramono told reporters to confirm to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono. He also pointed out that not just this once that President Jokowi had chartered an aircraft for a state visit with longer travel time.

For the record, the state visit to the US is scheduled to take place in the second week of March. (HIM/FID/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas