Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Al-Azhar Universitys political observer Rahmat Bagja has urged the Special Committee (Pansus) of the state-owned port operator PT Pelindo II to trace the alleged involvement and intervention of foreign businessmen in controlling the companys management.

"Pansus member Daniel Johan has revealed an alleged intervention of a businessman from Hong Kong Li Ka Shing and Rothschild in the management of PT Pelindo II, and now, the Pansus should track it down," Bagja affirmed here on Friday.

He said the Pansus should focus on unveiling the truth regarding the information as he believes that Johans allegation was based on a preliminary data that must be corroborated.

Bagja remarked that in the management of the port, Indonesia cannot be dictated by foreign parties as the benefits would not be reaped by the people of Indonesia.

"I am sure that if Pelindo II is managed independently, there will be several advantages for Indonesia," he emphasized.

At a meeting held recently with the House of Representatives Pansus to probe alleged corruption in the state-owned port operator, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli sharply criticized Pelindo II President Director R.J. Lino.

Rizal criticized the system of management and financial performance of the company under Lino.

He pointed out that Lino had bragged about the profit recorded by Pelindo II, when the company was not even part of the list of 20 state companies recording the largest profit.

"He (Lino) claimed to have chalked up the largest profit, which is not true. Pelindo II is not among the 20 state companies reporting high profit," Rizal informed Pansus members.

He noted that Pelindo II ranked below PT KAI, the state railway company, which posted Rp591 billion net profit and pawnshop Pegadaian that recorded a profit of Rp1.6 trillion and Pelindo III, which posted Rp640 billion in net profit.

He remarked that Pelindo II, which has a much larger market share, should not be lagging behind Pelindo III.

Rizal stated that the system of management in Pelindo II did not follow order and described the system as unorganized.

Citing an example, he said container ships were not served on the principle of "first come, first served."

"Lino said Pelindo II follows its own system to suit its clients. It is downright foolish, very bad, and highly inconceivable. It would force several ships to wait for as long as seven days," he noted, adding that the system contributed to lengthy storage time at Tanjung Priok, he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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