JAKARTA - Today's memory, three years ago, January 19, 2023, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) rejected the construction of the North Bali International Airport or better known as the North Bali Airport. PDIP considers that the construction is more harmful than beneficial.
Previously, the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) government had bet on building the North Bali Airport. The presence of the airport is considered as a gift to bring in large numbers of tourists. The decision sparked rejection everywhere.
No one doubts the Jokowi government's regime in terms of development. The owner of the power is like a tuning to build a lot of infrastructure throughout Indonesia. The goal is so that economic equality can occur and not only focus on Java Island alone.
The narrative was praised by many parties. However, development in the Jokowi era is not infrequently criticized. The government is considered arbitrary in building. Later, whether the facilities or infrastructure that are built are useful or not.
All of this is because some of the infrastructure that has been built has failed to be utilized. This condition has provoked criticism from everywhere. In fact, criticism sometimes comes from the political party that raised Jokowi himself: PDIP.
PDIP is known to have criticized Jokowi who was obsessed with building the North Bali Airport. It all started from the idea of the Governor of Bali in the 2008-2018 era, I Made Mangku Pastika in 2015. Mangku Pastika wants Bali to be accessible to more tourists.
He considers that Bali needs a new airport, in addition to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. The idea was then considered important by Jokowi. The owner of the power even made the construction of the North Bali Airport into a National Strategic Project (PSN). Even though the status was later revoked in 2022.
The issue of cancellation of construction had spread everywhere. However, the government admitted that it would continue the construction plan. The plan actually sparked rejection from all Balinese residents and national figures.
Megawati Soekarnoputri also joined the ranks who strongly opposed the construction of a new airport. He strongly criticized the government for wasting money on a project that actually harmed the people of Bali and only benefited investors.
"When (the plan to) be built again in Buleleng. I said my big family was there. I want to make an airport, I'm angry. I called Pak Koster (Bali Governor) it's easy, I said, just to connect tourism, not like that."
"I told Pram (Pramono Anung), Pram, this is really for the people of Bali. I said don't just think about yourself, Bali Island is inisaumpret (small), you know. How many people live here, and only investors want to come here," said Megawati as quoted by CNN Indonesia, January 16, 2023.
Megawati's attitude is not only a personal attitude. The rejection of the construction of the North Bali Airport is also the attitude of his party, PDIP on January 19, 2023. The narrative voiced by Megawati is a form of PDIP's partisanship to the people.
PDIP considers the construction of the airport only benefits a handful of people. The losses incurred are actually more. Residents of Bali are considered to lose their livelihoods. Not to mention later the presence of the airport can change the culture of Bali because of the influx of foreigners.
"Airport construction is more driven by big financiers with statistical justifications for progress. However, at the implementation level, it clashes with various problems such as the massive purchase of people's land."
"In the end, the people are just spectators, especially with so many foreign investors who will be encouraged to work on the international airport. Currently, there are only plans, there has been a hunt for people's land. This should not happen," said PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto as quoted by lamandetik.com, January 19, 2023.
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