GOVT CONSIDERING LEASING PLANE FOR PRESIDENT

Jakarta, Feb 5 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is considering a plan to lease an aircraft that would serve as the president's "Air Force One", Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said.

"Through the House of Representatives' Commission II, we are considering leasing an aircraft to serve as the president's plane through an installment payment mechanism," he told reporters here Friday.

The government's reason for having an "Air Force One" was to enable the president to use a special aircraft which did not disrupt Garuda Indonesia's schedules when he had to make state visits.

The government has so far always leased a plane from national flag carrier Garuda when the president had to make state visits, Rajasa said.

"The House is still discussing the matter," he said.

According to the chairman of the House's Budget Committee, Harry Azhar Aziz, the budget for the Indonesian president's aircraft was Rp200 billion (US$1=Rp9,480) but it had yet to be disbursed.