"I should stay relaxed because Merpati owed the debts to its creditors when it was led by previous managements in the past. We hope the government would settle them because most of the debts also came from state-owned firms," Merpati President Direct
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines President Director Rudy Setyopurnomo said his airlines hoped that its creditors would write off its outstanding debts.

"I should stay relaxed because Merpati owed the debts to its creditors when it was led by previous managements in the past. We hope the government would settle them because most of the debts also came from state-owned firms," Rudy said here on Monday.

However, Rudy refused to reveal the amount of his company`s outstanding debts. He has only been Merpati`s president director since May 2012.

"I did not remember the amount. I could not learn the figure by heart," he said while he hurriedly got on his car.

Earlier reports have it that Merpati`s outstanding debts reached Rp3.14 trillion.

Merpati owed the money to a number of state firms such as oil and gas firm Pertamina, Bank Mandiri, airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, state asset management firm PPA and insurance service Jasindo.

"If you have debts and then debt collectors come to knock on your door, at least you will find yourselves inconvenient," Rudy said.

Earlier, State-owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan asked Merpati to consistently focus on running the operations of its business activities.

It should not heavily think of its debts. "Merpati should not be overwhelmed by its debts. It is really unable to pay off (now) its debts," he said.

Last month, Dahlan Iskan praised even Merpati for its improved performance.

"Actually I am surprised that Merpati is still able to serve the public under its current conditions," the minister said.

He said he had met personally with members of the board of directors and commissioners of the company to discuss the company`s conditions.

The minister asked its management to focus on developing its business and not to be overwhelmed by its debts.

"Merpati must focus on its business plan so that it will not end up like Batavia Air that has gone bankrupt," he said.

He said the company`s conditions have actually been improving as the company has now been able to regularly pay its workers, pay airport cost, fuel needs and insurance albeit through an installment scheme despite its debts left by former directors.

"It is unfair to assess present Merpati performance right now because its present debts were made when the company was led by several directors of the previous periods while the present directors have only worked for less than a year," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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