National

President Allowed to Use Presidential Plane During Campaign
18 Pebruari 2004

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian president is allowed to use the presidential plane in conducting political campaigns in the regions but the operational costs of the plane must be borne by the related political party.



The president will also be guarded according to presidential standards during the political campaign. State



Minister of Communication and Information Syamsul Muarif made this statement to reporters before the launching of the book entitled General Election 2004’s Guidelines in Jakarta on Tuesday night (17/2).



Those who are entitled to arrange and administer matters related to the political campaigns of the president and vice president are the Indonesian Broadcast Commission (KPI) and the General Election Commission (KPU).



The vice president has similar rights as the president as regards use of the state facilities.



“All matters on this have been stipulated in the law,” Muarif stated.



The president and vice president are entitled to receive such facilities as they do not have the right to take any leave during the period of the political campaigns.



This is due to the fact that both the president and the vice president are appointed by People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), who holds the sovereignty mandated by the people.



“The position of president and vice president has attached to them. So, they do not have any right to take any leave, except if they are sick,” said Muarif.



However, cabinet ministers are allowed to take leave in conducting their political campaigns.



If the ministers carry out campaigns for presidential candidature, they must obtain permission from the president.



According to Muarif, only three ministers are allowed to take their leave every day for political campaign purposes.



The leave rights for ministers have been stipulated in the regulations for state officials.



Agriceli - Tempo News Room