NTP sale opposed by workers

BANDUNG, West Java: At least 1,000 workers and former workers from state aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) held a protest on Wednesday in response to the PTDI directors' plan to sell the company's subsidiary PT Nusantara Turbine Propulsion (NTP) to private investors.

The company should not be sold because it was still profitable, said Deden Munadjat, the protest coordinator.

The company earned a profit of Rp 141 billion (US$15.6 million) and Rp 160 billion respectively in 2003 and 2004, he said.

NTP sells aircraft components and components for industrial purposes, and also provides aircraft maintenance services. -- JP