REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Vice President-elect Jusuf Kalla (JK) balked at PDIP executive Maruarar Sirait's suggestion to sell the presidential airplane as a budget-saving measure, before making a decision to reduce fuel subsidies.

"Yes, (the presidential airplane is not for sale), however, we visit other countries. Selling the presidential airplane does not mean reducing the costs. On contrary, it (the cost of presidential visit -Ed) will become expensive," JK stated on Wednesday.

JK remarked that the president was required to visit several places, and thus, it would  become even more expensive if the president uses a leased Airbus airplane.

"If President-elect Jokowi visits some places, and he rents an airplane then the costs incurred will be high," he affirmed.

The PDIP executive had earlier made a suggestion to President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi) about selling the presidential airplane in order to save operating costs.

"Cost-efficiency must be taken care of during official government visits. I have proposed to Jokowi to sell the plane. People can be asked to lead a simple life only if the leader sets an example," Maruarar emphasized on Monday.

His statement is related to reducing fuel subsidies and addressing the issue of dissent within the PDIP. Maruarar assessed that an increase in fuel subsidies should be the last option.

He emphasized that the new government should temporarily reduce the number of overseas visits, except to the countries bordering Indonesia.

"Traveling expenditure alone reaches several trillion each year," he remarked.

He also proposed that Jokowi-JK's government should audit oil prices defined by Pertamina, and encourage profit-making for the state treasury through oil imports and exports, as well as raise taxes on cigarettes and aerated beverages.

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