REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan has agreed to the House of Representatives' (DPR's) proposal to replace the board of directors of Merpati Nusantara Airlines over alleged mismanagement of the cash-strapped state airline company.

"We will do it as we share the same viewpoint as the DPR," Dahlan stated after a working meeting with the House Commission IV at the parliament building here on Wednesday.

The plan to replace the Merpati board of directors had been in place since some time ago. But, the ministry put the plan on hold as it had failed to find a competent person to lead the state airline company, he remarked.

Even several people who were considered competent refused to occupy the posts of directors at the airline company, Dahlan claimed.

"Some persons who had the requisite qualifications refused to occupy the posts. But, when we find the right persons, we will replace the board of directors," he added.

Earlier, House Commission VI member Azman Azzam Nataprawira of the Democrat Party urged Dahlan to dismiss the managing director of Merpati Nusantara Airlines over irregularities in the management of the company.

The irregularities were the appointment of the board of directors, which did not comply with the law and the payment of debts to the leasing party.

The Merpati president director and commissioner also reportedly demanded Rp600 million as recompensation, although they had received salaries.

"This is really robbery. While the company is facing financial difficulties, the director and commissioner had the heart to rob the company. We must ask Dahlan to explain this," Azman noted.

As of February, Merpati has closed most of its flight routes due to financial difficulties.

The airline company currently owes Rp7.6 trillion, although the government has injected funds into it on several occasions.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika