The Jakarta Post
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has shown his commitment to overhauling the country’s SOEs by making several controversial decisions, but concerns over transparency remain. Among them was the dismissal of state-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia president director Ari Askhara, who allegedly used his position to smuggle a second-hand Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Brompton folding bicycles via the airline’s Airbus A330-900 Neo ferry flight from France. The newly appointed minister, who replaced Rini Soemarno as part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term in office, has vowed to carry out an extensive reform of SOE management. His decision to replace Ari received a positive reaction from the public, who often describe state-owned companies as cash-cows of senior government officials and their cronies. Read also: Garud...