TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir said that the appointment of Yenny Wahid as Garuda Indonesia’s independent commissioner will give an added value to the flag-carrier as Yenny is trusted to provide assurance for female employees.

“For sure the presence of Bu Yenny, flight stewardesses, female front-office workers, will be protected or at least have someone to talk to,” said Erick at the Defense Ministry Headquarters on Thursday, January 23.

Erick added that Yenny’s role as an independent commissioner will be able to bridge the voices of the public and assured that her naming is not politically motivated.

“Bu Yenny does not represent [any party], she is the public’s representation,” Erick Thohir reaffirmed.

She was appointed as Independent Commissioner of Garuda Indonesia at the extraordinary general shareholders meeting (RUPSLB) on Wednesday, January 22.

Yenny Wahid - who is the daughter of the 4th President of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) - is the director of the Wahid Institute and remains in the position. She also served as a special staff of political communication during the administration of Indonesian 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA