JAKARTA - Deputy SOE Minister Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said that PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk’s (GIAA) operational activities will not be disrupted following the sacking of Ari Askhara as the flag carrier’s CEO and the suspension of its board of directors in a smuggling scandal.
“We are coordinating with the Directorate General of Air Transport. We will ensure that [Garuda’s] operations will not be disrupted,” said Mr Wirjoatmodjo at the Jakarta City Hall as quoted by Bisnis.com, Monday (9/12).
According to Mr Wirjoatmodjo, any member of the airline’s board of directors who was involved in the case will be investigated in accordance with the law. For the time being, Garuda Finance and Risk Management Director Fuad Rizal has been appointed as acting CEO.
Following the smuggling of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and two Brompton folding bicycles on board a new Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Garuda, Ari Askhara was sacked as the airline’s CEO by SOE Minister Erick Thohir on Friday (6/12). An investigation conducted by an Audit Committee found that Mr Askhara is the owner of the luxurious motorcycle smuggled on board the aircraft. (MS)