Garuda Indonesia suspends directors linked to Harley Davidson smuggling: Commissioner

JAKARTA: Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is suspending directors linked to the alleged smuggling of a Harley Davidson motorbike by its chief executive, the company's chief commissioner said on Saturday (Nov 7).

Indonesia's State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir on Thursday said he will fire CEO Ari Askhara for allegedly trying to evade tax by bringing into the country a Harley Davidson motorbike onboard a new plane from France.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Askhara has been suspended pending a shareholders' meeting due in coming weeks to determine his fate.

Thohir said the smuggling also involved at least one other Garuda employee based in Europe who helped transfer the payment and assisted in the delivery of the motorbike. He said the investigation will continue to ascertain whether more employees were involved.

Sahala Lumban Gaol, chief commissioner of Garuda, said in a televised press conference on Saturday that members of the board of directors who were "indicated to have been involved directly or indirectly" in the incident have been suspended.

He declined to disclose the names of the suspended directors or say how many were affected.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Askhara has not responded publicly to the accusations of smuggling. Reuters made repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact Askhara for comment.

ChiefRead More – Source