Peter Gontha Says There's Only One Way Out To Rescue Garuda Indonesia: Through The Law Because We've Been Fooled By Foreigners

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Garuda Indonesia Commissioner Peter F Gontha said that there was only one way to save Garuda Indonesia, namely through legal channels. As is known, Garuda is currently in a difficult financial condition. Even the company's debt has been mounting to reach Rp139 trillion.

"So we want to find a way out, right? Right? In my opinion, the only solution for Garuda is a legal solution. The solution is to conduct a forensic investigation," he said during a discussion at the Parliament Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 1.

According to Peter, if you don't carry out a forensic investigation, you won't be able to know exactly what happened to Garuda Indonesia.

"We can only guess what actually happened or what PT Garuda Indonesia actually did," he said.

Furthermore, Peter said that so far Indonesia has been fooled by foreigners. Therefore, according to him, Garuda's problems must be resolved through legal means.

"Because all this time I can say that we have been "fooled" by foreigners. This is not politics, because I am not a political person. Pak Jokowi said that we cannot be inlanders. We have to fight with these foreigners who have always thought that we are a nation that can always be fooled," he said.

For your information, Garuda's mounting debt reaches Rp. 139 trillion, one of which is caused by the very expensive price of the plane. Even four times more expensive than the world average. This is also highlighted by the public.

The national airline Garuda leases eight types of aircraft. These include Boeing 777-300, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8 Max, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-900, CRJ1000 NextGen, and ATR 72-600.

However, the highlight is the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased by Garuda Indonesia. This is because the former Commissioner of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Peter F. Gontha spoke on his social media. He questioned where the difference in the money from the rental price of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased by Garuda Indonesia went.

According to Peter, the usual rental price for a Boeing 777-300ER is US$ 750 thousand per month. However, since the first plane lease letter was signed, the cost incurred by Garuda was US$1.4 million per month.

"This is a Boeing 777, the average rental price in the market is 750 thousand US dollars per month. Garuda starts from the first day paying double? 1.4 million US dollars per month. Where did the money go when it was signed? Just want to know?," wrote Peter on his personal Instagram account @petergontha, quoted Thursday, October 28.

As is known, Garuda has a total of 142 aircraft, as many as 136 aircraft with lease status and 6 aircraft belonging to the company. Consists of Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8 Max, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-900, CRJ1000 NextGen, and ATR 72-600 aircraft types.

Especially for the Boeing 777-300ER, Garuda Indonesia has 10 aircraft. The aircraft, which can accommodate a total of up to 314 passengers, is used for long-distance routes. This Boeing 777-300ER is claimed by Garuda to be able to go up to 930 kilometers per hour.

It is noted that Garuda Indonesia leased two of its 777-300ER from ALAFCO, two from Altavair, and the remaining six from ICBC Leasing. However, during the pandemic, it is reduced so that currently operated to support the company's operations are in the range of 50-60 aircraft.