PT PAL, PT Dirgantara Indonesia 'zombies': legislator

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) legislator Helmi Fauzy called two state-owned strategic industry firms “zombies” because of their consistent poor performances.

He cited as an example that state shipbuilder PT PAL was currently facing a serious dilemma regarding seven work contracts that it was handling.

“They will definitely suffer additional losses if they work on the projects, but will have no performance at all if they don’t,” Helmi said during a hearing session held by House of Representatives’ Commission I overseeing information and defense affairs.

“PT PAL is like a zombie; it is dying. The same situation is happening with PT DI [acronym for state aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia]."

Helmi said the two state firms badly needed restructuring.