Pontjo seen as Garuda commissioner<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pontjo Sutowo, the chairman of the Association
\nof Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants, has been named as a
\npossible future commissioner for national flag carrier Garuda
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng
\nsaid on Thursday that Pontjo, also the owner of the Jakarta
\nHilton International Hotel, was an appropriate figure to sit on
\nthe airline's supervisory board.<\/p>\n
\"Since the tourist industry is closely related to the airline
\nindustry, appointing him as a commissioner might be good for
\nGaruda,\" he said on the sidelines of a seminar on the
\nprivatization of state enterprises.<\/p>\n
Tanri said Garuda Indonesia, which is currently under severe
\nfinancial strain due to the monetary crisis and mounting foreign
\nexchange debts, was one of many state enterprises rampant with
\ncollusion, nepotism and collusion.<\/p>\n
\"We have to remove all such practices to allow Garuda to
\noperate efficiently,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Garuda Indonesia has an overseas debt of US$400 million. To
\nsurvive the crisis, the company is in the process of streamlining
\nits operations, which includes a plan to sell its $300 million
\nmaintenance facility unit at Soekarno-Hatta International
\nAirport.<\/p>\n
It has also managed to reschedule $285 million of its overseas
\ndebts due to mature this year. (aly)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pontjo-seen-as-garuda-commissioner-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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