My appointment letter has gone missing: Samudera
My appointment letter has gone missing: Samudera
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Samudera Sukardi, State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi's elder brother, claimed over the weekend he had been given the top post at flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia, but his appointment had been foiled at the last minute.
"I was summoned by (State) Minister (of State Enterprises) on Wednesday evening to tell me I had been appointed the new president of Garuda. He even shook my hand to congratulate me. The State Minister then informed me of my duties and responsibilities, and said that I would be inaugurated on May 3 by Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar," he told reporters.
"However, Agum later called me up, saying the minister's appointment letter, which had already been signed by Laksamana, had gone missing, and that my inauguration would be postponed for an indefinite period of time.
Later on Friday evening, I was summoned by one of the deputies at the Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises, who asked me to back down, claiming I could jeopardize my brother's image."
He added he had been offered an alternative post as ambassador in Japan.
Samudera is a member of Vice President Hamzah Haz's United Development Party (PPP), the same party that nominated him for the top post at the state-owned airlines.
Laksamana is a senior member of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
While the media has largely centered on the potential conflict of interest along with accusations of nepotism on Samudera's appointment as the new chief of Garuda, the race for the top post may actually reflect the intense competition among political parties to extend their influence over state-owned enterprises (SOE).
SOEs have often been treated as cash cows by political parties.
On Friday, Hamzah reiterated his support for Samudera, saying he should be appointed to lead Garuda if he was considered the best candidate.
But Laksamana said that he had to consult first with Megawati before making a decision.
Samudera urged the government to install a new president for Garuda quickly, saying any further delay would adversely affect the performance of the airline and undermine the government's credibility.
Garuda's top post has been left vacant since Abdul Gani left in January.
A source at the Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises said the government would install the new president of Garuda on Monday.
"Invitations to attend the ceremony have been distributed but no name (of Garuda's new president) is mentioned," he said.
Samudera has worked with Garuda for 20 years. He is currently the director of PT Abacus, Garuda's subsidiary, which handles reservations.
The other candidates are Garuda financial director Emirsyah Satar, operations director Rudy Hardono and engineering and marketing director Richard Sukadarusman.