Erick Thohir, Calling BUMN Transportation Ready For Losses Due To COVID-19

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Erick Thohir said state-owned companies, especially those engaged in the transportation sector, are ready to lose money due to the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19. Moreover, currently in Indonesia the number of positive cases continues to grow.

Initially, Erick Thohir was asked which BUMN sectors had suffered losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Erick did not answer in detail about these losses.

He only said that BUMN transportation was ready to lose. This is because transportation operators must continue to operate amid weakening market movements or demand.

"If the problem of profit and loss is not today. What is certain is that yesterday I told you, at this moment, it is certain that BUMNs such as Angkasa Pura I, Angkasa Pura II, Garuda Indonesia, Indonesian Railways, ferries, are ready to lose," said Erick. in a live broadcast via video conference, at the Office of the Ministry of BUMN, Tuesday, March 24.

However, Erick said, currently the Ministry of BUMN is reviewing a number of companies to keep growing amid the pandemic. The study was carried out jointly between the central and regional governments. This study is necessary so that the policies taken for each sub-sector in the future are correct.

"Our policy of lowering it is in synergy with the regional and central governments. Because BUMN is not a regulator but we are a corporation that we are trying to maximize," he explained.

Regarding the existence of social distancing policies or restrictions on social interactions, Erick ensured that all state-owned companies, especially those in the banking sector, would continue to operate. This means that banks on weekdays will still serve the public as usual.

"Banks must remain open and do not mean loss," he said.

Erick explained that banks are encouraged to continue operating because in the near future the government will provide direct cash assistance or BLT to the community. Generally, the assistance is channeled through state-owned banks that have partnered with related ministries or institutions.

"Especially if in the future there will be a BLT program, ensure that there are many state-owned banking companies that become places for direct distribution to the people," he explained.

On the other hand, Erick remains optimistic that Indonesia will quickly recover from the COVID-19 outbreak. "I believe Indonesia is a big country. It will definitely improve in the next few months," he said.