Garuda candidate draws criticism<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The nomination of Samudera Sukardi, a brother of State
\nMinister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, as a candidate
\nfor the top post at the country's flag carrier has continued to
\ndraw criticism.<\/p>\n
The latest opposition came from Government Watch, which
\nsuspected that there were political scheming behind his
\nnomination as he was nominated by the Vice President's United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), and not by Garuda's shareholders during
\na shareholders' general meeting.<\/p>\n
Government Watch coordinator Farid R. Faqih suggested that
\nSamudera wait for a change in the Cabinet before he joined the
\ncompetition for Garuda's presidency.<\/p>\n
He contended that if Samudera went ahead with his nomination
\nand Laksamana went ahead with his approval, it would only confirm
\nthat nepotism was at play.<\/p>\n
Although there would be a transparent \"fit and proper test\",
\nit would still create problems in the eyes of the people as the
\nfinal decision would still lie with Laksamana.<\/p>\n
\"There is a possibility of greater opposition -- at least from
\ninside Garuda -- if people see nepotism in the appointment
\nprocess,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Laksamana said on Monday that Samudera had people supporting
\nhim, and therefore, \"I don't think there is any need to make an
\nissue of it.\"<\/p>\n
PPP's secretary-general Alimarwan Hanan, who is also minister
\nof cooperative and small enterprises as well as deputy chairman
\nof the PPP faction in the House of Representatives Suryadarma Ali
\nboth contended that Samudera was indeed a good choice.<\/p>\n
\"He is from Garuda and he has the ability to become Garuda
\npresident, so there's no problem with it.<\/p>\n
\"We can't just block someone's career because his brother is a
\nkey official in the country,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
Samudera is currently the director of PT Abacus, Garuda's
\nsubsidiary which handles online reservations, and has worked with
\nGaruda since 1977.<\/p>\n
He maintained that he was eligible as a candidate, and this
\nhad nothing to do with his brother, Minister Laksamana.<\/p>\n
\"I was with Garuda a long time before my brother became a
\nminister,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He urged the government to establish a credible team to
\nconduct a transparent \"fit and proper test\" for all the
\ncandidates, including himself.<\/p>\n
If necessary, the government could use independent experts
\nfrom foreign universities or foreign airlines on the team, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I am ready to compete with the other candidates because I
\nhave loyalty to this country, a workable program for the company,
\nexperience, and individual capability such as leadership and
\nmanagerial skills in the airline industry,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/garuda-candidate-draws-criticism-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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