Indonesia weighs switching Garuda CEO as part of turnaround plan

Indonesia is considering switching the CEO at the Garuda Indonesia airline, part of the new government’s push to advance the carrier’s profitability and support its expansion, according to people familiar with the matter. Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, the acting CE of the low-cost carrier Lion Air, has emerged as the leading candidate for the position, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly. The other potential candidate is Garuda CFO Prasetio, according to one person familiar with the matter. A new CEO could be appointed as early as the middle of the month, the people said. The job is currently held by Irfan Setiaputra, a former telecom executive who was appointed to the post in 2020 after his predecessor was fired for allegedly smuggling a classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a flight to Jakarta. Representative of Lion Air, which is formally known as PT Lion Mentari Airlines, declined to comment. An official at Garuda said the appointment of board members is the “prerogative of the state-owned enterprises ministry” and that the airline had no additional comment.<br/>