New President Director Complains of Rampant Corruption at Merpati Airlines

Jakarta Globe

The new president director of Merpati Nusantara Airlines complained on Thursday of rampant corruption within the state carrier, asking the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to do something about the situation.

Rudy Setyopurnomo, who only began serving at Merpati on May 14 and replaced former President Director Sardjono Jhony Tjitrokusumo, made the statement during a meeting in Jakarta with the House of Representatives’ Commission XI, which oversees finance and development planning.

“The level of internal corruption within Merpati has topped 60 percent,” Rudy said, as quoted by news portal tempo.co.

He added that he hoped the KPK would investigate graft cases involving Merpati employees, saying he would fire those found guilty of corruption.

Rudy further said his employees’ rampant corrupt practices were among the reasons why the airline has reported consecutive losses over the past five years.

He said he would “clean up” his office from corruption to support Merpati’s target to book Rp 37 billion ($3.9 million) in profits this year.