JP\/19\/MONTY2<\/p>\n
Containing success at Surabaya's Tanjung Perak port<\/p>\n
Shortly before he resigned, president Soeharto appointed
\nbusinessman Tanri Abeng as the first minister for state-owned
\nenterprises -- a job he held when president Habibie took over.<\/p>\n
The assignment was to privatize or semi-privatize government-
\nheld industries and the Surabaya container terminal at Tanjung
\nPerak was on Mr Abeng's list.<\/p>\n
British-based multinational, Peninsular and Oriental Steam
\nNavigation Company -- widely known as P & O -- won the bidding
\nfor 49 per cent of the terminal. It did so on the strength of
\nits record in terminal management in Australia and 18 other
\ncountries. P & O was formed in 1837.<\/p>\n
TPS has five commissioners, including two from P & O, and five
\ndirectors. Three are Australian. The president director is an
\nIndonesian, Adji Pamungkas.<\/p>\n
Growth has slumped a little in the last year, a factor that
\nTPS finds puzzling. Although the government says value of
\nexports has risen, the number of containers has not. Maybe the
\ncontents are more expensive (TPS only knows if they are hazardous
\nor perishable) or perhaps the exchange rate is a factor.<\/p>\n
The 37-hectare terminal is mainly a feeder port for Singapore.
\nIt is spacious and well organized, and could almost double its
\ncapacity before further investment is required.<\/p>\n
P & O brought in an Australian computer system. Now agents can
\ncheck the progress of their cargo through the terminal by cell
\nphone text messages.<\/p>\n
Security has been tightened. Employees clock in and out using
\nhand recognition machines that scan their palms -- a difficult
\nsystem to corrupt.<\/p>\n
Although TPS has no direct competition it is not just a
\nlicence to print money. As the majority partner the Indonesian
\ngovernment is keen to maximize the workforce -- while its
\ncommercial partner has a different objective.<\/p>\n
A similar enterprise in Australia would be operating with one-
\nthird of the staff employed by TPS. Despite this, labor costs are
\nlow. About 75 per cent of running costs in Australian terminals
\nare for labor; in Tanjung Perak they are 25 per cent.<\/p>\n
-- Duncan Graham<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp19monty2-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }