Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi - KPK) has formally charged the former chief executive of Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta), Emirsyah Satar, with receiving IDR46 billion rupiahs (USD3.3 million) in bribes from various suppliers, the Tempo daily newspaper has reported.
The charges relate to bribes allegedly paid by Soetikno Soedarjo, the founder of multi-industry conglomerate PT Mugi Rekso Abadi, for securing aircraft maintenance and procurement contracts with the Indonesian flag carrier, particularly those related to the maintenance of six A330s operated by Garuda at that time.
Soetikno also allegedly provided lodging in Bali and a private jet charter to Emirsyah as in-kind bribes.
In addition, KPK also alleges that Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Bombardier Aerospace paid bribes to Emirsyah in relation to the acquisition of A330-200s, A330-300s, A320-200s, and CRJ1000s for the carrier, as well as A320-200s for low-cost subsidiary Citilink (QG, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta).
Airbus told ch-aviation it would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
"We note the announcement about legal proceedings, in which we are not involved, and will not be commenting further," a Rolls-Royce spokesperson said.
"Bombardier strongly denies any wrongdoing in connection with the sale of CRJ aircraft to Garuda, and we have not been approached by any authorities about these allegations," the Canadian manufacturer said.
Emirsyah said that the charges were "not entirely true". He served as the carrier's CEO between 2005 and 2014.
