Garuda Introduces New Commissioners after Two Resignations

Jakarta. State-run airline Garuda Indonesia has announced a new structure of the executive board following the resignation of two commissioners and citing a financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic and “economic turbulence”.

Just hours before the announcement on Friday, Commissioner Yenny Wahid went to Instagram to bid farewell to the company.

“To help ease financial burdens in Garuda Indonesia, I have decided to resign from my post as independent commissioner,” she wrote.

The daughter of the late president Abdurrahman Wahid said civil aviation is among the hardest hit by the pandemic due to global travel restrictions.

“I have the confidence that other commissioners and directors will be able to continue with the efforts we have prepared to rescue Garuda,” she added.

Earlier this week, fellow commissioner Peter Gontha also used his social media account to announce that he is quitting the job either by resignation or honorable discharge.

He wrote that he has submitted resignation letter since January.

Peter has been very critical of the company in recent months, saying Garuda is shouldering trillions of rupiah in debts while continuing to fly certain routes that cause further losses.

He has publicly said he wouldn’t take his salary from Garuda.

The company accepted his and Yenny’s resignations and announced honorable discharge of another commissioner, Elisa Lumbantoruan.

"We extend our highest appreciation for contribution by members of the board who today concluded their job on a high note as either commissioners or the management," Irfan Setiaputra, who retains his job as president director, said in a video conference after the annual shareholders’ meeting on Friday. 

The company named Timur Sukirno as chief commissioner, accompanied by Chairul Tanjung as commissioner and Abdul Rachman as independent commissioner.

The meeting dismissed Vice President Director Dony Oskaria and Commercial and Cargo Director Mohammad R. Pahlevi.

The new board of directors doesn’t mention the vice president director post. It comprises Irfan, Finance and Risk Management Director Prasetio, Operation Director Tumpal Manumpa Hutapea, Human Capital Director Aryaperwira Adileksana, Engineering Director Rahmat Hanafi and Commmercial and Service Director Ade R. Susardi.