House of Representatives Highlights IMIP Airport, PT IMIP Claims Compliance with Aviation Law

This is IMIP Airport which is seen from the google map. (Google.com)

JAKARTA - Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives has highlighted the existence of an airport operating within the industrial complex of PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. The airport is said to be operating without the involvement of official government authorities. The commission, which is responsible for defence and foreign affairs, will request an official explanation from the relevant ministries.

The plan to summon ministers in President Prabowo Subianto's administration was conveyed by Commission I member Oleh Soleh when asked for comment on Wednesday, 26 November. The PKB legislator from West Java believes that the existence of an airport without state supervision contradicts the basic principles of airspace and border management.

"No airport should be allowed to operate without state involvement. If there is an airport that operates independently without government supervision, it is tantamount to a state within a state. Such a thing should not be allowed to happen," he asserted. He claimed that no government officials, whether from the aviation authority, customs or immigration, were able to enter and conduct supervision at the IMIP airport.

According to Oleh Soleh, this situation not only has the potential to violate civil aviation regulations, but also opens up loopholes for national security threats. Therefore, Commission I considers it necessary to have a comprehensive clarification regarding the status and supervision of special airports in strategic industrial areas.

Responding to these concerns, PT IMIP Communications Director Emilia Bassar, who was contacted on Wednesday, 26 November, emphasised that the IMIP Special Airport is registered with the Ministry of Transportation and its management is regulated by Law No. 1 of 2009 on Aviation. Among other things, this law distinguishes between public airports and special airports that are used to support core business activities.