Erick Thohir Ensures Awaluddin Gets A New Position After Being Removed From AP II's Managing Director

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir confirmed that he would give Muhammad Awaluddin a new position after the merger process or the merger of Angkasa Pura I and II.

Awaluddin previously served as President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) or AP II.

The news of the removal emerged after the emergence of the Decree of the Minister of SOEs Number SK-311/MBU/2023.

Awaluddin was removed as the president director on November 17.

However, Erick himself confirmed the position in question. Whether Muhammad Awaluddin will be transferred to the ranks of the Board of Directors or other SOE Commissioners, Erick is reluctant to comment on this matter.

"Later, Pak Awal (Muhammad Awaluddin) has a place (new position)," Erick said when met by reporters, written Monday, November 20.

Regarding the reason for the removal of Awaluddin as the number one person in Angkasa Pura II, Erick said this was related to the SOE plan and PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia (Persero) or InJourney to merge AP II and AP I.

"That's a concept from the merger later on Angkasa Pura I and II, like we combine Pelindo. In Pelindo, there were four (companies), because we want to continue to improve efficiency," he said.

Furthermore, Erick said, the merger will be boosted before the turn of the year or around December 2023.

He emphasized that this merger aims to build tourism industry infrastructure. Especially on the side of aviation transportation.

"If yesterday's Singapore we saw the latest terminal WW, yes we must also start adapting to international airport developments," he said.

This step, continued Erick, is also based on the fact that several airports in Indonesia are starting to overcapacity. Especially in Jakarta and Bali.

Erick also predicts that airports close to tourist attractions will experience the same thing.

"If we look now in Jakarta itself after COVID-19 has started to overcapacity, Bali is also starting to overcapacity, especially if we look at Mandalika, Labuan Bajo becomes very potential, so we have to improve it or not," he said.