Luhut: Garuda Indonesia's Smuggling Case Harms Investment Climate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan openly expresses his disappointment toward Garuda Indonesia’s board of directors who were involved in the smuggling of the 1970s Harley Davidson on board the Airbus A330-900 Neo’s inaugural delivery flight to Garuda. 

Luhut argues that cases such as these will surely harm the image built by the government in terms of the investment climate. 

“If this is true and it’s being sustained, it will surely harm our attempts to promote Indonesia’s investment climate that is positive and transparent,” said Luhut in a written statement on Thursday, December 5. 

Moreover, Luhut says he supports the decision of SOE Minister Erick Thohir who discharged Garuda Indonesia president director I Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra (Ari Askhara).

“The SOE Minister’s call was spot on. I support attempts to clean up officials who misuse their authorities and violate their oath of office,” said Luhut Pandjaitan. 

As previously reported, Garuda Indonesia’s latest unit was flown directly from Toulouse carrying 10 crew members and 22 passengers. According to Tempo sources, the plane’s manifest and airway bill declared zero cargo. 

CAESAR AKBAR l JONIANSYAH