The Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat has issued a new regulation to enhance efficiency in official overseas work trips. The policy, detailed in a letter numbered B-32/M/S/LN.00/12/2024 and signed by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi on December 23, 2024, emphasizes prudence and careful planning for all government-related travel abroad.

Under the new guidelines, ministries, agencies, regional governments, and institutions are urged to ensure that overseas trips are selective and aimed at improving work performance and regional development. The policy mandates that only trips of high urgency, directly linked to national priority programs, will be approved.

The regulation establishes strict quotas for delegations. Technical delegations are limited to three participants, while training and benchmarking activities can include up to 10 participants. Cultural, tourism, and investment missions are restricted to five delegates, excluding companions. For bilateral and multilateral meetings, up to five officials may attend, with an additional two permitted for cross-organization working groups.

To ensure accountability, institutions must submit travel applications at least seven days before departure, accompanied by supporting documents such as work plans, invitations from organizers, and funding statements. Delegates are required to submit detailed reports within two weeks of returning from their trips.

State visits by the president and vice president will be coordinated under the foreign affairs minister’s direction, while the state secretary minister will handle travel arrangements for ministers and agency leaders. For cross-institutional forums, the number of participants will be determined based on recommendations from the involved institutions.

The policy enforces compliance through administrative sanctions for any unapproved trips, underscoring the government’s commitment to effective resource management and strategic alignment with national objectives.

This regulation reflects Indonesia’s focus on improving governance and ensuring that international engagements yield meaningful outcomes.

Source: Antara News Agency