Jakarta – The Great Indonesian Movement, better known as Gerindra, has dropped a recent decision to bar its lawmakers from going on official overseas trips, now allowing them to make only "beneficial" excursions.
"We have put a stop to all overseas trips that have been approved or were in the process of being approved," Gerindra announced in a letter dated Tuesday and signed by party faction chief Ahmad Muzani and secretary Fary Djemi Francis.
"However, in performing tasks as members of the House [of Representatives], which include diplomacy, overseas trips that are beneficial for the state's interests are allowed but chosen very selectively," the memo added.
Gerindra deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed the letter on Friday, explaining that feasibility trips abroad are among those that are forbidden.
"Banning overseas trips completely is wrong, because our lawmakers must also perform their duties," Sufmi told news portal Detik.com on Friday. "If it's not too urgent, then we won't approve [the trip]."
A letter issued on Monday banned Gerindra members from going on any overseas excursions, citing orders from chief patron Prabowo Subianto.
Gerindra lawmaker Ahmad Riza Patria denied the order had anything to do with the controversial trip made by House deputy speaker Fadli Zon, who is also from the party.
Fadli was part of an Indonesian delegation visiting the United States with House Speaker Setya Novanto earlier this month, but stirred public and media backlash when he and Setya appeared at a campaign event for American billionaire and presidential hopeful Donald Trump.