State-owned transportation firms make Rp 331b to June

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned companies overseen by the Ministry of Transportation gained total profits of Rp 331.6 billion (US$147.3 million) in the January-June period, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday.

"The profits were far lower than the Rp 382 billion targeted by the government," the minister said after meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno at the latter's office.

The ministry oversees 18 state-owned transportation firms, including railway firm Perumka, the Jakarta-based city bus operator PPD, road passenger and cargo carrier DAMRI, lake and river crossing transport ASDP, domestic shipping operator Pelni, overseas freighter Djakarta Lloyd, sea freighter Bahtera Adhiguna, shipping classification firm Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia and customs document service provider Varuna Tirta Prakasya.

They also include seaport management companies PT Pelindo I, PT Pelindo II, PT Pelindo III and PT Pelindo IV, dredging company Rukindo, flag carrier Garuda Indonesia airlines, Merpati Nusantara Airlines and airport management companies PT Angkasa Pura I and PT Angkasa Pura II.

Haryanto said companies that gained profits in the first semester included Pelindo I, Pelindo II, Pelindo III, Angkasa Pura I, Angkasa Pura II and Garuda Indonesia.

"Garuda gained a profit of Rp 98 billion in the first semester and we hope the airline can earn a profit of Rp 800 billion this year," Haryanto said.

He said Perumka lost Rp 9.3 billion in the January-June period, PPD Rp 12.3 billion, Biro Klasifikasi Rp 146 million and ASDP Rp 1.3 billion.

Perumka's loss, however, was smaller than the previous estimate of Rp 9.9 billion.(kod)