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Garuda Indonesia chief to be sacked over smuggling allegation
Garuda Indonesia’s chief has been told to get on his bike after a smuggling allegation.
Garuda Indonesia president Askhara Danadiputra will be fired for smuggling a Harley Davidson motorcycle into the country on a new jet it just had delivered from Airbus.
Indonesia’s state-owned enterprises minister Erick Thohir said Askhara will be relieved of his position.
Askhara attempted to smuggle the classic motorcycle into the country without declaring it, Thohir said.
"This has tarnished the image of state-owned enterprises," Thohir said. "We will not stop here, we will keep seeking other persons involved in this case."
Customs officials discovered the motorcycle, other bike parts and two folding bicycles when the plane arrived at Garuda’s maintenance hangar at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
The items were liable for excise duty of more than $100,000, said finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Askhara travelled on the plane along with other airline officials.
It is one of 14 A330neo planes Garuda ordered from Airbus.
Askhara could face criminal charges, the ministry said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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