Airports in Indonesia are recognized as still lagging behind when dealing with major airports in the regional area. However, according to the former Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Karya Sumadi, the opportunity to compete with airports abroad is still wide open. The key is to improve service quality so that airports in Indonesia are able to attract the interest of airlines and passengers to come and stop by.
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According to data from the Airports Council International, the busiest airport in 2025 is held by Atlanta Airport (ATL), USA, which recorded a total of 108.1 million passengers. The second position is occupied by Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB), which serves 92.3 million passengers. Meanwhile, the third position is again held by an airport in the United States, namely Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), which serves 87.8 million passengers. In the Southeast Asia region, Soekarno-Hatta Airport must compete fiercely with Changi Airport (Singapore), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok).
Budi Karya Sumadi emphasized that the opportunities for airports in Indonesia, such as Soekarno-Hatta and Ngurah Rai Bali, to compete in the region are still very open.
"Our population is large, the human resources are also many. We have many good tourism potential such as in Yogyakarta, Bali, Lombok, and other areas that are not owned by Singapore and Malaysia," he said.
With the many international airports, according to him, this is also the task of the local government to make their region an attractive tourist destination. So, airports that have international status really become an entry gate for foreign tourists.
"Actually, each region has local wisdom that is not owned by other regions. Palembang, for example, if it is well promoted to various countries, people will know. The question is, the South Sumatra Regional Government or the Palembang City Government has promoted the potential of the region well or not? There are culinary, songket crafts, or other tourism potential. So, people from Singapore or other countries come to enjoy the potential in Palembang," he told Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Meidianto when visiting the VOI office, in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, not long ago.
After no longer serving as Minister of Transportation, what are your activities?
As a professional, I still care about the field that I have been engaged in. I am involved in a corporation that is still related to my expertise, but my role is not the main one; I am only an adviser. I became a commissioner at a company.
Apart from that, I socialize more with friends, friends, and colleagues. I take care of the Jaya Raya badminton club. For sports, I regularly go for a healthy walk, and get together with friends who have the hobby of singing and playing bands. As a Muslim, I am also involved in religious activities by participating in the development of mosques.
Which mosque do you manage?
"We have a foundation that manages four mosques located in Jakarta (two mosques), Palembang, and Purworejo. Why is it called Abdul Somad? Because that is my father's name. So, the mosque is to commemorate my father. Hopefully it can be useful for people around the mosque, both for worship and for learning the Qur'an.
You went through a long journey, from school in Palembang, college in Yogyakarta, and a career in Jakarta. Can you tell me?
My parents are teachers, there is a strong intellectual tradition in them. However, the life of a teacher with eight children is not easy, especially the economic conditions at that time were not very good. This condition is what triggers us to have a fighting spirit.
As the youngest son, I was told to buy vegetables at the market. Others might be embarrassed, but I just did it. To meet the needs, we even made soap from wax, and at home we opened a stall to sell. With such conditions, my parents still managed to send all their children to school.
Uniquely, when I was in elementary school, I went to Muhammadiyah, junior high school in a state school, and high school in a Catholic school. For college, I managed to get into UGM, and I am grateful to have received a scholarship. In five years, I completed my studies in Architecture at UGM.
After that, I went to Jakarta and joined PT Pembangunan Jaya which was headed by Mr. Ciputra. I really dreamed of being able to work with Mr. Ciputra and be able to compete with alumni of UI, ITB, and foreign campuses.
What makes you able to compete with other campus alumni?
I really have to show my best if I want to win the competition. When my boss ordered me to do five tasks, I did eight. What I did was appreciated, the result was that my career rose faster than my co-workers.
I used to be a workaholic, until my wife complained because I kept working and rarely came home. Then I was entrusted to be the Financial Director (1988 - correct the year if necessary). My project at that time brought Bintaro Jaya to go public. In 1994, I also brought Pembangunan Jaya Ancol to go public. During my 13 years at Ancol, I served as President three times.
After Mr. Ahok agreed to say goodbye to Ancol, I was asked to hold JakPro which has the JIS project, LRT, and a number of other important projects. However, when I just joined, JakPro's debt piled up until the Regional Government injected Rp. 1.3 trillion. Only 1.5 years later, I was asked by Bu Rini Soemarno (then Minister of SOEs) to head Angkasa Pura II. In my era, Angkasa Pura has built many new airports such as Terminal 3 Soetta, Labuan Bajo, and others. Until finally from Angkasa Pura, I was asked by Mr. Jokowi to become Minister of Transportation.
From the private sector to the government, how did you adapt?
It so happened that at that time there was a thought to corporatize state-owned enterprises. If we are from the private sector, we are usually very liquid, there must be an effort in doing something, and thinking openly. The pattern that exists in the government is combined with the style of the private corporation. I have to rationalize, but the Javanese say it is still "ngewongke" (humanizing people). That way, the senior ones step aside and we encourage the best to lead.
"Your subordinates were surprised by this new pattern?"
Yes, of course. When I was at Angkasa Pura, I repositioned eight people in important positions who had been in office for too long. The junior and younger ones I gave the opportunity to lead. With that pattern, Angkasa Pura rose. They built and improved many airports.
Regarding airports, we have a lot of international airports. There is an opinion that says we only need three international airports in each region, then from the big airport the passengers are distributed through domestic flights. What is your view?
In other countries such as China and the United States, they limit the point of arrival and departure of aircraft abroad. They don't have many international airports; flights to the area are shared through large airports that serve as hubs.
On the other hand, if in our place there are too many international airports, which eventually become hubs are the airports of neighboring countries, namely Singapore. But I don't want to judge, that's the choice that has been made. Now the question is how we can get the benefits. This is the task of the local people, for example Palembang, to promote themselves so that outsiders come. The task of the local government is to improve (improve) themselves and their region so that it is attractive to foreign tourists. What has been successful is Labuan Bajo and Banyuwangi. So, the local government must be given a target to bring foreign tourists with international airports in their area.
"If we compare Changi Airport and KLIA, what is Soetta's position?
Geographically, Soetta is more to the south than Changi and KLIA. Then they are benefited as a commonwealth country (a former British colony). Commonwealth countries make Malaysia and Singapore as hubs.
Another thing, the two countries managed to form a financial city. So, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are a lot of business destinations. Europeans and Middle Easterners if they want to invest in Indonesia often pass through these two cities. This background is what makes Soetta's competitiveness not equal to theirs. Our PR is to raise Soetta so that its competitiveness is better.
From the data obtained, in terms of passenger numbers, Soetta can compete with Changi and KLIA, but in terms of revenue (revenue) it is still losing. Why is that?
Because there is a larger portion of international flights. If in Soetta, international is only around 15%, the rest is domestic flights. International passengers have a stronger purchasing power compared to domestic passengers.
Is there still a chance for Soetta to become as big as Changi and KLIA?
"There is still. We are a big country. Soetta and Ngurah Rai can become a hub. Moreover, our population is large and our human resources are many. We have many good tourism potential such as in Yogyakarta, Bali, Lombok, and other areas that are not owned by Singapore or Malaysia.
Dubai Airport is very fast growing, what can we learn from them?
They started everything from the financial world. They invited professionals from Europe and America, so that Dubai became a financial city. The port also developed. However, what the Dubai authorities did was very smart; now Dubai is a hub for various parts of the world such as Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. In addition to Dubai, Qatar is also a hub, although it was not. Next, Turkey and Saudi Arabia will improve their countries to become hubs as well.
What is your advice for the Regional Government so that it can improve itself and compete with other regions, even from other countries?
"Actually, each region has local wisdom that is not owned by other regions. Palembang for example; if it is well promoted to various countries, people will know. The question is, has the South Sumatra Regional Government or the Palembang City Government promoted the potential of their area well or not? There are culinary, songket crafts, or other tourism potential. So, people from Singapore or other countries come to enjoy the potential in Palembang.
So should we be proud of the uniqueness that exists in each region?
Not only proud, but also have to explore the potential of local existing, then raised and published to the wider community. The successful example is Banyuwangi which competes closely with Jember. Previously, the dance activities were in Jember, now moving to Banyuwangi. The Banyuwangi airport was built very well with the APBD and won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) 2022. Because the concept is the first green airport in Indonesia. So, the airport of famous architect Andra Matin is environmentally friendly and carries local wisdom.
What is your advice for young people to stay motivated despite limitations, so that they can achieve?
Gen-Z does have its pros and cons. The plus is that they are tech-savvy and more advanced than the previous generation. They become superior and confident. However, they are bored quickly and do not want to delve into something. Their totality and spirit to fight are still lacking.
You are smart and have faster access to technology, well, your strength must be increased. The important thing is to be consistent and to be the best in your field. So, think big and dream as high as possible, but all of that must start from small things and must be focused. Must learn quickly and immediately implement. That's the strategy, and if it's done, I'm sure it can succeed.
So there is no need to be afraid of competing with other nations?
Yes, that's right. They (young people) have the capacity to relate to the outside world. And that is a window that they can use.
Budi Karya Sumadi: Silaturahmi, Olahraga, dan NgebandAfter no longer serving as Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi's activities are not as dense as when he was still President Jokowi's assistant for two periods. In between his busy schedule as President Director of PT Arkonin (a subsidiary of Pembangunan Jaya), he filled his time by having many silaturahmi with friends and friends, exercising, and what he never forgot: playing a band.
It turns out that the art talent was inherited from his mother. "When I was a child, I often sang together. Regional songs, songs of struggle, and others. When I was in high school, I joined a vocal group, and when I was in college at UGM, I joined a band," recalled the man who was born in Palembang, December 18, 1956.
After becoming a minister, he gathered his friends who had similar hobbies. "I play guitar, Mr. Basuki (drums), Mr. Pratikno (vocals), Ms. Retno and Ms. Sri Mulyani (vocals). Then there is Hanif Dhakiri (guitar and vocals), Triawan Munaf (keyboard), and Teten Masduki (guitar and vocals). Even though we play it poorly - because we are not very smart - it makes us happy," he said.
Why is it called Elek Yo Band? "The name is from Pak Basuki, he is a funny person. Elek Yo Band (a pun on elek yo ben; ugly yes let it go / nothing). Everyone agreed with the name. Yes, continue," he said while adding that musicians such as Abdee Slank, Dewa Budjana, and Yuni Shara have performed with them.
Elek Yo Band while still active has performed several times at campus events, the wedding party of Pak Pratikno's son, to performing at Java Jazz. "The most memorable thing was the charity night for the disaster. At that time, Rp17 billion was collected. We were very happy that the fund-raising event was successful," said Budi. However, currently Elek Yo Band is no longer active.
Tips to Look YoungerBudi Karya Sumadi does his hobby of playing music by playing a band with his friends. (Photo: Bambang Eros VOI, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
If other people do certain treatments to look young, BKS - as he is often called - has his own tricks. "I now often srawung (hang out, gather, socialize) with those who are younger. So I am infected with feeling young too, hehehe," he said, accompanied by a typical laugh.
Even though Elek Yo Band is vacuum, Budi Karya Sumadi continues his musical hobby. Friends who like to play music and sing he gathers for practice together. "Because each of us is busy with his own way, so the Elek Yo Band format doesn't work. Now I play with my classmates at UGM and other friends. Anyway, this is a means to refresh and gather," he explained.
Sports and Lifestyle ChangeBudi admitted that his lifestyle was not good before he was infected with COVID-19. After recovering, he changed his total lifestyle. "Since I got COVID-19, I disciplined myself to exercise. This habit continues until now," he said. The exercise he regularly does is walking. In fact, he has a walking community once a week at GBK with a mileage of 5-7 km.
If not at GBK, Budi is looking for other locations such as the UI Depok campus, Ancol, PIK, and other comfortable places. "When you are in your 50s, muscle mass decreases. Therefore, said Ade Rai, don't just walk, but also train your muscles so that they don't shrink. It turns out that it is very important," he said.
For food matters, Budi began to limit portions. "We have to take care of food so that it doesn't get diabetes. In the morning I only eat protein, vegetables, and fruit. In the afternoon I only eat carbohydrates. In the afternoon is the last meal, at night it's not anymore. If there is an opportunity, I also fast besides in the month of Ramadan," he said.
Tips for healthy people by Budi Karya Sumadi: First, happy: achieved with many friends. "Playing with friends is important to make us happy." The second is exercise: "Choose what suits your condition." And third, keep eating patterns: "I eat three egg whites and one whole egg every morning, as well as vegetables and fruit. In the afternoon I only eat carbohydrates. I can still eat goat satay and durian, but a little," he concluded.
"I really have to show my best if I want to win the competition. When my boss ordered me to do five tasks, I did eight. What I did was appreciated. As a result, my career rose faster than my co-workers,"
Budi Karya Sumadi
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