Observer: Erick Thohir's Plan Regarding Merger Between INKA And KAI Is Not Right, Its Performance Has Potential To Destroy

Illustration. (Photo: By courtesy)

JAKARTA - Following the plan of BUMN Minister Erick Thohir to merge PT INKA with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), a member of Commission VI DPR-RI Mufti Anam responded. He asked that the merger plan be reviewed.

A number of parties have also asked that the merger plan not be implemented. One of those who refused was public policy observer Agus Pambagyo who asked the government to conduct a previous study.

"Do a careful study and carry out an in-depth study. But for the study, choose a competent institution," said Agus Pambagyo in a statement received by VOI, Wednesday, October 28.

He emphasized that he did not agree with Erick Thohir's plan. He emphasized, if merged, PT KAI's current good performance could be destroyed.

"KAI will grow and collapse again because it is told to take care of others that have nothing to do with PT KAI. Now, PT KAI is being told to take care of the LRT, take care of KCIC, until the condition is now down again," he said.

According to Agus, the current government is indeed diligent in conducting mergers of state companies, which in the end their performance is still untested. The government created a holding for mining, oil and gas and BUMN Pharmaceuticals, in which this step seems to only imitate the Singaporean companies Temasek and Khasanah Malaysia, whose conditions and situations are different.

"I see that in carrying out this holding and merger, the government has not conducted in-depth studies and studies," he said.

Agus added that he heard that those conducting studies and studies related to the merger of BUMN were Bahana and Danareksa Sekuritas, which in fact were financial companies.

He emphasized, before conducting a study, look for or appoint a study institution that is truly good and has proven capabilities. So that according to him, the institution could carry out a visible study according to demands.

"Now, PT INKA's performance is still impressive, because Pak Budi Noviantoro's marketing is good. On the one hand, PT KAI is going down, so if the merger is done, both of them will be destroyed. So I do not agree," he said.

Transportation observer from MTI (Indonesian Transportation Society) Djoko Setiowarno said, PT INKA, is currently experiencing quite good development.

"Innovation and creativity in business development have begun to show results. Given the trust of other countries to produce trains and locomotives. The results of synergies with several BUMNs have earned them the trust to build a train network and its facilities that connect several countries in Africa," said Djoko.