Acting Governor Of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik Review Homecoming Flows At Kariangau Crossing Ports

Acting Governor of East Kalimantan, Akmal Malik. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - After Visiting Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport (SAMS) Balikpapan, Acting Governor of East Kalimantan, Akmal Malik together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) continued a review regarding the peak of the Eid Al-Fitr 1445 Hijriyah homecoming at the Kariangau Balikpapan Crossing Port, Sunday 7 April.

This visit is at the sea departure point which is heading to Penajam, Palu, and Mamuju.

"It seems that in general it is still under control," he said.

The number of visitors/homecomers is still relatively small compared to 2023 on D-4 or D-5 or around 50 percent. There was a decrease in the number of passengers, almost close to 50 percent, allegedly due to the opening of toll road access at Samboja KM 38 (Sepaku Semoi route).

"Those who want to go to South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan prefer to go by land. So they don't go through crossings," he explained.

Akmal said he had discussed with the DPRD and the Transportation Service so that the Kariangau Port would provide protection because it has historical value.

"This commercial crossing is historic. We will discuss it further together so that this crossing becomes one of the modes of sea transportation later," he said.

What's more, when the Balang Island Bridge is complete, the ferry crossing connecting Balikpapan - Penajam Paser Utara will be quiet.

"It could be a museum, that's why we will discuss it with the relevant authorities," he explained.

Regarding the service of homecoming through crossings and seaports, it is well served.

"Alhamdulillah, it is served well, although it has decreased by 50 percent from the previous year," he said.

Akmal admitted, so far Penajam's ferry crossing has not experienced significant problems.

"The problem is just waiting for the ship to arrive for a long time," he said.

Because there are travelers who wait until one day and one night because they are waiting for the ship from Central Kalimantan.

"It's far from those who come from Palangkaraya, they enter through here, right from Palu," he explained.

The tariff or ticket price applies to the standard or there is no increase, although there are concerns that residents will increase prices.

"This means that economic law applies, if the demand (request) is limited, the supply will decrease, because the price set in the crossing is standard based on the Governor's Decree," he explained.