(July 11, 2007)
Tony Hotland
Two non-governmental groups on Tuesday asked forthcoming European Commission (EC) aviation safety officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the nuances of Indonesia's aviation industry.
The groups urged the EC officials to include in their audit the reported use of commercial flights for intelligence gathering operations and the failure of the government to press charges against airlines over aviation accidents.
Last week, the EC banned all Indonesian airlines from flying to and from Europe due to distrust caused by the country's poor aviation safety record after a string of accidents and technical mishaps over the past three years.
European Ambassador to Indonesia Jean Breteche said last week that the EC auditors would investigate the condition on the ground following the ban.
The groups also called to attention the murder of rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib onboard a Garuda Indonesia flight in September 2004, which involved fake assignment letters.
Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, a Garuda pilot off-duty at the time, and an alleged intelligence officer onboard the flight in question were found guilty for document forgery.
"There are documented records citing the use of Garuda and Merpati (airlines) in the past as a cover for intelligence works," said Sudaryatmo of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI).
He made reference to two books that highlight his argument. One, a 1993 biography by Julius Pour of military figure Gen. (ret) L.B. Moerdani, who died in 2004, and the other a 2007 book by Ken Conboy on intelligence.
"These facts are a violation of the 1944 Chicago Convention, the fourth article, that strictly forbids all states from using civilian flights against their common use. It endangers the safety of passengers," he said.
Rusdi Marpaung of the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial), an organization Munir supported, said the case of Munir's death revealed how Garuda, the nation's flag carrier, was not up to international standards.
He highlighted the "fake assignment letter involving (Garuda's) chief director, the failure to contact the ground when Munir was falling sick and less than minimum medical kits" on the flight.
Sudaryatmo said the state's failure to hold airlines accountable when accidents have occurred constituted a rights abuse.
He also said the police are not inclined to look past the excuses issued by airlines, such as poor weather and engine malfunctions, to explain accidents, despite the fact lives had been lost.
"Airline companies (should) be charged for negligence given that lives are at stake here. The fact that none have ever been brought to court leaves no daunting effect (on safety)," Sudaryatmo said.
He said airlines are inexcusably responsible for handling poor weather conditions and maintaining their aircraft.
If sanctions were placed on airlines for negligence, he added, the domestic aviation industry would likely be encouraged to comply with international safety standards and passengers would be empowered to hold airlines accountable for carelessness.
Indonesia has witnessed several air accidents and troubled take-offs and landings in recent years.
The government announced in March the results of an audit of 20 domestic airlines, which showed that not one was in full compliance with safety regulations at that time.
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