Merpati aircraft in Merauke Airport (Jubi)
Merauke, Jubi (26/2) – Regent Romanus Mbaraka said PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (PT MNA) has committed vandalism against an aircraft belonging to people and the Government of Merauke Regency.
“They took our aircraft’s engine and attached it to their aircraft in order to keep flying and making money,” Mbaraka told tabloidjubi.com on Wednesday at Bappeda Merauke Office.
The regent did not say if PT MNA took the engines of the three aircrafts, but said the company did it without prior coordination and communication with the Operational Collaboration Team.
“Though the local government indeed earned some revenues from the operated aircraft, the management never gave us a notification about it,” he said.
He also said the local government has tried to communicate with the management of PT MNA for about two weeks but the company could not say if they could recover in a month, six months or a year. There was no certainty.
The regent also acknowledged that he has done some actions at the national level including an audience with the Minister of Transportation, Minister of State Companies and an official of the Ministry of Finance, but have not obtained the answers yet.
The approximately two weeks of ongoing studies revealed PT MNA had Rp billion million in debts to the government and on the other hand the government still owes MNA 3 billion. However, the regent didn’t explain whether PT MNA owes the debts to the local or central government.
The Government of Merauke has also given an ultimatum to PT MNA to ensure the three aircraft are in good conditions. Based on the assessment, the Regent said the local government has made two decision: first, three aircraft should be in good conditions and well maintained for flying, and second the government would condunct the legalization of the assets and liabilities of PT MNA in accordance with the Law.
The regent said the government then would decide on whether the aircraft would be sold or kept. It should be noticed that the Boeing 737 series will be phased out from the world of aviation to be replaced with the 800 or 900 series. In addition, the local government would consider working with another company.
When asked about the issue, the Chairman of the Democratic Faction of DPRD Merauke, Fransiskus Ohoiwutun said it would be proper if the government sold the aircraft and replaced it with small ones in order able to reach the people in remote areas. (Jubi/Frans L Kobun/rom)
