Garuda workers banned from politics

JAKARTA: National flag carrier Garuda's board of directors has issued a ruling that bans all employees from joining political parties.

The new ruling, which was circulated on Wednesday, has raised the eyebrows of many employees who are members of the state company's labor union (Sekarga).

"This (ruling) is strange because it implies management overreaction and impulsiveness," the union's secretary-general Capt. Tarbiyanto told Antara.

The new policy was set out in an undated letter signed by Garuda's general manager Abdulgani. In the past, it was mandatory for state employees to be affiliated to the Golkar Party.

Tardiyanto speculated that the move was related to the government's plan to appoint a new chief to replace Abdulgani, who has tendered his resignation.

Samudera Sukardi, a brother of State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, has been touted as being a strong candidate.

Garuda spokesman Pujobroto said the new policy was aimed at maintaining the employees' neutrality and improving their professionalism. He said those who wanted to pursue political careers could take a sabbatical. -- Antara