Rusdi Kirana | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia | |
| Assumed office 3 October 2024 Serving with Period 2024–29
| |
| Speaker | Ahmad Muzani |
| Preceded by | Period 2019–24
|
| Member of theHouse of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2024 | |
| Other positions | Member of Commission III (since 2024) |
| Vote count | 121,080 votes (2024) |
| Parliamentary group | National Awakening Party faction |
| Constituency | East Java VIII |
| 17th Ambassador of Indonesia to Malaysia | |
| In office 18 May 2017 – 14 September 2020 | |
| President | Joko Widodo |
| Preceded by | Herman Prayitno |
| Succeeded by | Hermono |
| Member of thePresidential Advisory Council | |
| In office 19 January 2015 – 7 June 2017 Serving with Sidarto Danusubroto Muhammad Yusuf Kartanegara Ahmad Hasyim Muzadi Suharso Monoarfa Jan Darmadi Abdul Malik Fadjar Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo | |
| President | Joko Widodo |
| Chairman of the Council | Sri Adiningsih |
| Succeeded by | Yahya Cholil Staquf |
| CEO of Lion Air Group | |
| In office 19 October 1999 – 19 January 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1963-08-17)17 August 1963 (age 62) |
| Party | National Awakening Party |
| Spouse | Iesien Rusdi Kirana |
| Children | 3, includingDavin Kirana |
| Alma mater | Pancasila University Faculty of Economics |
| Occupation | Businessman Politician |
| Known for | Founder ofLion Air |
Rusdi Kirana (born 17 August 1963) is an Indonesianbusinessman and politician. He is the founder ofLion Air, which introducedbudget no-frills airline services to Indonesia. He currently serves as the Deputy Speaker of thePeople's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) for the period 2024–2029.[1] On 19 January 2015, he was appointed by PresidentJoko Widodo to thePresidential Advisory Council.[2][3] In the political field, since 12 January 2014, he has served as the Deputy Chairperson of theNational Awakening Party.[4] The Lion Air Group, under his leadership, oversees several subsidiaries, including Lion Air,Wings Air,Batik Air,Malindo Air,Thai Lion Air, andSuper Air Jet.
Rusdi started his aviation business in October 1999. With an initial capital of US$10 million, he initiated the "revolution" in the world of aviation with alow cost carrier concept.[citation needed] The breakthrough was causing trouble for other airlines. In just six years, Lion had 24 aircraft consisting of 19MD-80 and fiveDHC-8-301 aircraft. In terms of passenger numbers, Lion won over 600,000 people per month or controlled 40% of all market segments. In 2004 Lion Air took second place in number of passengers transported, behindGaruda Indonesia.He continues to develop Lion Air's businesses and intends to become a market leader in domestic flights. So he continued to prepare for the start of infrastructure, flight routes, to increase the number of aircraft.
For infrastructure, Rusdi cooperated with theTNI AU and PTDirgantara Indonesia, hiring a hangar atHusein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung to use as a maintenance facility for Lion Air. He also bought a used airplane simulator fromScandinavian Airlines to train his pilots. In addition, Lion Air cooperates with the Indonesian Air Force to become the manager ofHalim Perdanakusuma International Airport,Jakarta. It is likely that Lion Air's will switch its base to that airport.
Rusdi Kirana became active in politics after stepping down from his business leadership role inLion Air Group.[5] He started to be active in politics in 2013 and joined theNational Awakening Party (PKB) as early as January 2014, becoming the party's vice chairman.[6] He was one of the candidates forMinister of Transportation duringJoko Widodo's first term.[7] However, Rusdi Kirana prefers to be an ambassador instead of a minister, citing the potential of conflict of interest as Rusdi Kirana still owns shares ofLion Air.[8] He was nominated by PKB to be a part of thePresidential Advisory Council and on January 19, 2015, he was sworn in as a member in the council.[9][10]
On November 16, 2015, Rusdi Kirana issued a warning against Minister of TransportationIgnasius Jonan for alleged defamation related to the proposal to build Lebak Airport,Banten[11] after Jonan made a comment against him, accusing him for wanting to close theCurug Indonesian Aviation Polytechnic in order to build the airport.[12] Rusdi Kirana made the warning saying that the accusation was personal and he won't be issuing it if Jonan's comment doesn't slight him on personal level.[13] On the next day, Jonan apologised and retracted his statements.[14] Rusdi and Lion Air's lobbying on Lebak Airport's construction ends up being cancelled as the plans did not meet the government's requirements.[15]

In 2017, Rusdi was appointed as Indonesia's Ambassador toMalaysia.[16] He have served his position until 9 July 2020. As he served as Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia, he had withdrawn his membership from PKB for the sake of duty for the country.[17]
Rusdi then ran as member ofHouse of Representatives forEast Java VIIIelectoral district during the2024 general election. This district covers the regencies ofJombang,Madiun,Mojokerto, andNganjuk as well as the cities ofMadiun andMojokerto.[17] He ran together with the younger brother ofMuhaimin Iskandar,Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and TransmigrationAbdul Halim Iskandar in the electoral district.[18] According to theGeneral Elections Commission, both he and Abdul Halim Iskandar managed to secure their memberships in the House of Representatives, with Rusdi having the higher vote count of 121.080 compared to Abdul Halim's 107.011.[19] In September 2024, he was re-appointed as deputy chairman of the party byMuhaimin Iskandar.[20]
On 4 October 2024, he was nominated by PKB to serve asDeputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly.[21] He then got sworn in as one of the Deputy Speakers of thePeople's Consultative Assembly, serving underAhmad Muzani.[22] He later announced his retirement fromLion Air, citing his new responsibilities as a member of parliament and as a deputy speaker.[23] As a Deputy Speaker, he wish to focus on economic issues, particularly insmall and medium-sized enterprises.[24]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Diplomatic department | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Herman Prayitno | Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia 2017–2020 | Succeeded by: Hermono |