DPR Speaker Puan Maharani Hopes Mopah Airport In Merauke Can Facilitate Public Access

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Maharani. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, hopes that the New Terminal for Mopah Merauke Airport, Papua, which has been inaugurated by President Joko Widodo, can further facilitate public access.

"Within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, we do not want isolated or difficult-to-access areas," said Puan in her statement, quoted from Antara, Monday, October 4.

She hopes that the expansion of the new 7,200-meter passenger terminal at Mopah Merauke Airport can bring as many benefits as possible to the people, especially the people of Papua.

According to her, the new terminal for Mopah Merauke Airport should further facilitate public transportation access so that it is hoped that it will be easier for people to come to Merauke to see the beauty of the eastern tip of Indonesia.

Puan said that every part of Indonesia's territory must be connected by land, sea, and air. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen airports in the Disadvantaged, Frontier, Outermost, and Border (3TP) areas.

"This includes strengthening Merauke's Mopah Airport through the construction of a new terminal," she said.

According to her, the public should be able to imagine that later people from Sabang will not be confused about the route and transportation if they want to explore Merauke.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) emphasized the importance of easy access from one region to another in Indonesia because Indonesia is a unitary country with many islands.

Puan assessed that the new terminal for Mopah Merauke Airport shows the progress of Papua because the increasing number of infrastructures being built in Papua shows the government's commitment to the progress of the area.

According to her, Papua has also proven capable of becoming a developed region, including the success of organizing XX PON.

Previously, Puan Maharani accompanied President Joko Widodo to inaugurate the New Terminal of Mopah Merauke Airport, Papua, Sunday.

The inauguration was marked by the beating of traditional Papuan musical instruments, tifa, and the signing of the inscription by President Jokowi.

During the event, President Jokowi was also accompanied by Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Regent of Merauke Romanus Mbaraka.