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Pilot drug investigation won’t affect Susi’s political post: Expert
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A Susi Air plane carrying Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Minister Susi Pujiastuti lands in Monguane, Talaud, North Sulawesi, in 2015. (Kompas.com/Ronny Adolof Buol)
D
espite the fact that two of Susi Air’s pilots are being investigated by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the matter will not hurt the political position of the airliner’s owner, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, a political expert says.
Ali Munhanif, a senior political researcher from Jakarta State Islamic University, said the investigation was not politically driven. “It’s a pure attempt to protect airline customers,” he told The Jakarta Post on Friday, adding that the Transportation Ministry’s revocation of a former Citilink pilot’s license was among efforts to improve aviation services.
“If she was to be criticized, it should have to do with her fisheries and maritime policies,” he said.
He said questions raised about the minister’s performance should be based on how her policies affected fishermen.
(Read also: Susi Air ready to fire pilots if necessary)
On Wednesday, preliminary drug tests carried out by the BNN on two foreign pilots of Susi Air during a random urine check at Tunggul Wulung Airport in Cilacap, Central Java, indicated they had used drugs. (jun)
