TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Boeing 737-800 Business Jet 2 Green, that became the Presidential aircraft of Indonesia, had a bad history. President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana stepped down in 2009 for purchasing an aircraft made by a company in Seattle, United States.
The story is that in 2008, Madagascar decided to purchase Jet 2 Green in the amount of US$60 million. The country’s financial was low then. Ravalomanana's desire was opposed by the people; one of them was Andry Rajoelina, the Mayor of Antananarivo. Rajoelina led the opposition group and made a reformation act at the time. Rajoelina’s group repeatedly carried out demonstrations to oppose the government.
Then in early 2009, the opposition group managed to influence the military. They coup the government of Ravalomanana. Rajoelina took the President's seat that was dominated by his predecessor since 2002. After being inaugurated, Rajoelina sold the Jet 2 Green to a company in the United States for US$24.5 million.
Only two countries possessed Jet 2 Green as a Presidential aircraft: Madagascar and Indonesia. This aircraft has landed at Halim Perdana Kusuma Thursday. The aircraft should have been acquired at the end of 2013. The delayed in shipment occured because the Boeing had a problem during testing the trial run.
The aircraft with the capacity of 50 people has luxurious facilities such as bedrooms, toilets with showers, conference room, dining room and living room. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who suggested this purchase, said the new Presidential aircraft will save rental fees and could be used in a long term periode.
Countries that owned a luxury jet in the amount close to Rp820 billion are:
1. South Africa, owned 1 unit, operated by the Air Force
2. Argentina, is ordering 1 unit and will be operated by the Air Force
3. Australia, owned 2 units, operated by the Air Force
4. Belarussia, owned 1 unit, used for the Government’s VVIP
5. Colombia, owned 1 unit, operated by the Air Force
6. India, owned 3 units, operated by the Air Force
7. Kazakhstan, owned 1 unit, used for the Government aircraft
8. Malaysia, owmed 1 unit, operated by the Air Force
9. Marocco, owned 2 units, operated by the Air Force
10. Nigeria, owned 1 unit, operated by the Air Force
11. Tunisia, owned 1 unit, operated by the Air Force
12. United Arab Emirates, owned 6 units, used for official travels of the Royal Family and Government.
PRAGA UTAMA | XINHUANET
