Investigate IMIP Airport Operation, PDIP Politician: International Airports Are Very Prone

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission V DPR RI Lasarus, stated that his party continues to explore the operational polemic of Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) Indonesia Airport in Central Sulawesi, after being mentioned by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. He found out the status of the airport, whether the airport is special or opened for international flights.

Lasarus admitted that he had made an informal approach with a number of relevant authorities to clarify issues developing in the public, especially airport operations without any state equipment if it was opened to the public.

"We have actually been in contact with an informal party. We have called, I asked the Minister of Transportation, I asked the Director General of Sea Transportation, I asked the Director General of Civil Aviation, yes," said Lasarus, Saturday, December 6.

The PDIP legislator also highlighted the status of this special airport which was opened for international flights, but was doubtful. Lasarus emphasized that Commission V of the DPR would explore the reasons for the previous international status opening, because according to him the move was at high risk.

"This airport has been opened internationally, but has never made international flights once. That's it. And now the international position has been closed," said Lasarus.

"So we also have to explore this. Special airports are vulnerable if we open to become international. Vulnerable, very vulnerable," he continued.

According to the leadership of the House of Representatives Commission in the field of transportation, every international flight must meet strict immigration and customs requirements. Lasarus also denied the possibility that there would be an airplane that could fly without an official flight number or flight number.

"I want to ask, I told my friends at AirNav, yes, I have a plane in the air of Indonesia flying without an flying number? I can't. So all the aircraft flying must have been screened by all the relevant authorities. He must have an flight number, "said Lasarus.

He also emphasized that if any aircraft were detected without clear identification, the air traffic authority (AirNav) would report it to the Indonesian Air Force for action.

"So that, there is no term that people can fly without permission, nothing. Except indeed us, our Air Force is weak. As far as I know our Air Force is strong, our planes are many. There is no problem," concluded Lasarus.