Ministers prohibited from overseas travel

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has renewed an order to his Cabinet that they refrain from frequent travel overseas, a minister said.

""Yes, there is such prohibition (for Cabinet members). After all, what's the importance (for them) to frequently travel abroad,"" Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Ka'ban said as quoted by detik.com news portal Friday.

However, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa said the presidential instruction would not be rigidly regulated as ministers can still travel abroad on very urgent business.

""I would just like to remind the Cabinet ministers of the presidential decree. But it's the individual ministers who can justify which business is urgent and which is insignificant,"" Hatta said.

Yudhoyono has warned his ministers on several occasions not to frequently travel abroad. The first warning was issued during his early days in office, while the latest came when he partly reorganized his Cabinet in April. -- JP