TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has yet issued any criminal charges following the crash of Lion Air flight JT 610 at the waters of Tanjung Karawang, West Java.
“I have not determined whether it would go that route, we are still in discussions,” said the minister at the Transportation Ministry office on Friday, November 2.
As of criminal charges, the ministry said that it would be best to wait for the official investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT).
According to Minister Budi, Lion Air technical director Muhammad Asyif and a technical failure within the Lion Air PQ-LQP Boeing 737 MAX 8 will face repercussions if found to be a factor that drove the aircraft that carried 189 passengers to meet its fate on Monday.
Refuting public accusations, Minister Budi Karya maintained that the Transportation Ministry is not pandering to the renowned low-cost carrier, “That is not even close, I often suspend Lion Air’s aircraft,” Budi Karya defended.
Meanwhile, Lion Air president director Edward Sirait maintained that the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 has gone through several internal fixes and repairs prior to the crash but is still waiting for the government’s decision on this matter.
CHITRA PARAMAESTI