Ministry Probes Sriwijaya Air-Citilink Conflict

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry is investigating problems at the Sriwijaya Air Group following the airline's directors reshuffle some time ago. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said he had assigned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to seek information from all stakeholders.

"That way we can help find a solution," the minister said on Thursday, September 12.

He will also look into the legal aspects of several dismissed directors' status, whether they are still active or not, to prevent negative impacts on airline operational services.

The management cooperation agreement (KSM) between Citilink Indonesia and Sriwijaya Air came under public attention after Sriwijaya is accused of unilaterally changing the composition of its directors. The two airlines, together with representatives from BNI, Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) Aero Asia and Pertamina (Persero) held a meeting to ask for clarification.

Citilink ensured that the two parties had not yet reached an agreement regarding the continuation of the KSM agreement, and would hold another meeting in the near future. The Garuda Indonesia subsidiary wants collaboration to continue.

Aviation observer Alvin Lie said that the reshuffle of directors by Sriwijaya has a risk of disrupting the quality of services due to the dualism of leadership.

Alvin, a member of the Ombudsman RI, said that the situation also creates doubts among the airline's partners, which will eventually affect Sriwijaya's needs.

Joseph A. Saul still claims to be the president director of the airliner, referring to the management cooperation agreement. Joseph made a written statement on September 10, declaring this claim as a response to news reports that some directors are temporarily discharged.

He also stated that the dismissal of the president director, human capital & service director, and Sriwijaya Air's commercial director—whether temporarily or permanently—had never been consulted to Citilink.

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