Dony Oskaria Regarding Recruitment Of Foreign Finance Directors At Garuda: The Focus Is Fundamental Transformation

JAKARTA The Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara) has opened its voice regarding the news of the recruitment of the Finance Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA) from Singapore Airlines.

Danantara Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dony Oskaria said the main thing was not about the origin of the candidate, but the fundamental transformation that the government was pushing towards in the national aviation industry.

"The point that must be seen is not in my opinion, but that the government wants to do fundamental transformation. This is more important, right," he told reporters, at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 24.

According to Dony, a large overhaul is needed because the country's aviation industry has not recorded a healthy financial performance.

Therefore, continued Dony, strategic positions such as the Director of Finance must be filled with the best figures through an independent recruitment mechanism and an assessment process.

"Yes, of course, we see a lot of candidates for the best. In essence, I think it is more focused on that we want a fundamental transformation in our airline industry," he explained.

The Acting Minister of SOEs also said that Garuda's transformation was very urgent because Indonesia needed a strong aviation industry to serve the needs of the people in an archipelagic country.

"Because with the population and also the number of our islands, we have to have a strong airline industry," he said.

For your information, Singapore Airlines financial executive, Balagopal Kunduvara is rumored to be moving to Garuda Indonesia. Reportedly, Kunduvara is lined up to fill the position of Finance Director of Garuda Indonesia starting October 2025.

After the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGMS) of Garuda Indonesia, a few months ago, the position of Director of Finance was still vacant. Currently, the task of the Director of Finance, which was previously carried out by Presetio, is carried out temporarily by the President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Deputy Military Commander Tsani.

Previously, the Director of Commerce Garuda Indonesia, Reza Aulia Hakim, did not directly justify or dispute the news of the recruitment of foreigners in the important position of the Garuda Indonesia board of directors.

However, Reza said the management fully handed over the recruitment of directors to shareholders, in this case the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI).

"We leave it entirely to the shareholders for this," he told reporters at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, September 22.

The news of the recruitment of foreigners to the position of Finance Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk was first revealed by a member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives from the PDI-P Faction, Mufti Anam.

Mufti also asked for an explanation from the management of the state-owned airline regarding the recruitment of foreigners to occupy high-ranking positions at Garuda Indonesia.

"We heard that there would be an executive from Singapore Airlines in the ranks of the Garuda Indonesia Board of Directors, is that true, sir? So we want a response to that. If that's true, why should it be hidden, sir?," asked Mufti in a Hearing Meeting between Commission VI and Garuda Indonesia, InJourney Airports, and IAS, Monday, September 22.

Criticizing reports of foreigners entering Garuda Indonesia management, Mufti also asked the company to give priority to local Human Resources (HR).

"We also ask for priority for local people. I think our people are good too, there are also many of our people in Qatar, sir, many of our people at Singapore Airlines, why don't we hire on them," said Mufti.

Mufti menegaskan, pihaknya lebih sepakat jika ada talenta Tanah Air yang direkrut oleh perusahaan besar.

“Kami lebih senang berita-berita untuk bagaimana kita memprioritaskan anak-anak terbaik bangsa kita,” ujar Mufti.

Mufti emphasized that his party would agree if there were talents in the country recruited by large companies.

"We prefer news for how we prioritize the best children of our nation," said Mufti.