Rizal Ramli Highlights Peter Gontha Who Exposes Garuda Indonesia's Depravity: How Come It Is Good To Be Bankrupt, Who's The Criminal?

Senior economist Rizal Ramli (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Former Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Rizal Ramli, highlighted Peter Gontha's open-minded attitude regarding the condition of the national airline Garuda Indonesia, which was afflicted with financial difficulties.

According to RR, Rizal Ramli's nickname, he had asked high-ranking state officials to show Garuda's financial documents several years ago. This is intended to reveal the actual financial condition of airlines.

“In 2015, RR requested that the mark-up Garuda purchase and leasing contract be terminated. RR (later) was denied by Rini S (Minister of BUMN 2014-2019) and paid media," he said via the Instagram channel @rizalramli.official quoted on Sunday, October 31.

Rizal then 'pricked' one of Garuda's top brass whom he also knew as a friend. The figure is former Garuda Indonesia Commissioner Peter Gontha. Meanwhile, the mention is intended to question the government's attitude in opening the option of closing Garuda as a state-owned business entity that serves the people.

"Now Peter is open. How come it's good, you want to find an easy way for Garuda to be bankrupt. Who's the criminal?” he said.

Rizal revealed that the airline company codenamed GIAA still has a chance to survive. However, RR did not reveal in detail how this was meant.

"There are other ways to save GA," he said.

As previously reported, after removing the 'soft seat' of the Garuda commissioner, Peter removed the ulcers one by one from the national flag carrier.

First, Peter assessed that Garuda had bought the wrong CRJ1000 plane. It is said that the price factor is too expensive and the incompatibility with geographical conditions makes this jet vehicle redundant for Indonesia.

Two, the difference in aircraft rental fees is considered too high from the actual calculation. Third, there are groups not from BUMN that are too powerful and continue to hold companies hostage for their own interests.

"Now with the plan to reduce planes, they are the victims themselves. They have no jobs and will lose everything. That is if some people influence their colleagues," said Peter as reported by VOI earlier.

Fourth, the attitude of the trade unions who are members of the Garuda Pilots Association (APG) who charge up to half a million rupiah to each cockpit crew for decades without any clarity on the use of funds.