Thursday, 23 June, 2016 | 09:00 WIB

Defense Satellite Budget Too Expensive, says PKS

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the Budgetary Committee from the PKS Faction, Sukamta, said that the budget proposed for defense satellite for the defense ministry is too expensive. "We need to secure our frequency, but the budget is too immense," said Sukamta.

The Defense Ministry has proposed US$849.3 million for satellite, compared to the recent price of the recently launched BRI-Sat at US$200 million.

"I suggest that they adjust the budget," said Sukamta.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Defense Ministry, Madya Widodo, said that the budget is still in discussion. "We are looking forward to agree on market’s price," he said.

He added that the ministry needs the satellite, because it has been relying to Telkom satellite. The plan itself has received budget allocation of Rp1 billion from the 2016 Revised State Budget.