TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New president director of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will reportedly be announced today, January 22, during a shareholders’ extraordinary general meeting.

Based on the release from the airline’s corporate secretary team received on Tuesday, the meeting will be held at 10-11 a.m. “In Garuda City Center (GCC) office, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport complex, Tangerang.”

One of the names predicted as a strong candidate is the former managing director of the state-owned telecommunication company PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra.

When asked for confirmation, Irfan claimed he has not been called by State-Owned Minister Erick Thohir directly. Yet, he was told to get ready since Tuesday afternoon. “I was asked by [Erick’s] team to be on standby,” he told Tempo on Wednesday, January 22.

Aside from Irfan, other names have been circulated as candidates are the managing director of state airport operator Angkasa Pura I Faik Fahmi, AP I commercial director Daan Achmad, and Citilink managing director Julaindra Nurtjahjo.

Minister Erick previously said he had submitted three candidates’ names to lead the national airline group to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi. His special staffer Arya Sinulingga said the new CEO would likely from the external circles of the company.

"What is certain is that they have no involvement in the Garuda Indonesia scandals," Arya remarked on Monday evening, January 13.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA