Former South Buton Regent Delegated From Plane Due To Joking About Bombing

Atmosphere of Betoambari Baubau Airport, Southeast Sulawesi, Tuesday (14/6/2022). ANTARA/Yusran

KENDARI - The former regent of South Buton (Busel), Southeast Sulawesi, La Ode Arusani was forced to get off the Wings Air plane Number IW-1307 at Betoambari Baubau Airport due to joking about the bomb on the plane.

Arusani joked about the bomb occurring when the plane was about to leave for Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar City, South Sulawesi.

Corporate Communication Strategic of Lion Air Group, Danang Mandala Prihantoro, in a written statement said the incident began when the flight attendant wanted to ask permission to move a passenger's bag to an empty luggage compartment.

"So, when a passenger entered the flight cabin (boarding) flight IW-1307, there was one male passenger who said that there was a bomb in his bag (of his luggage) after being asked by the flight attendant," he said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, June 14.

Hearing this, the flight attendant on duty then coordinated with the pilot and security officers or aviation security (avsec). Based on initial interrogation, the passenger admitted that he was only joking.

Even so, he continued, the passenger was not included on the flight to undergo further inspection by the authorities.

He also said to ensure the safety and security of all passengers, luggage and baggage were re-checked and the results were not found the goods or objects in question.

He said that Wings Air flight Number IW-1307 departed with four crew members and 71 passengers on Tuesday (14/6). The plane took off at 09.52 WITA and landed at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar City, South Sulawesi, at 10.48 WITA.

For this incident, his party obliges all passengers to never joke about bombs. Because according to Law Number 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation, conveying false information, joking, or claiming to carry bombs at airports and on airplanes can be subject to imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Wings Air Baubau Airport Manager, Komang Astawa, directed the media crew to dig deeper information to the central Wings Air management.

"This incident did not hamper flights, everything was in accordance with SOP (standard operating procedures). As for blacklisting the passenger concerned, it depends on the center. More details will be asked to Wings Air at the center," Komang said at Betoambari Airport.

He also said that during the settlement, his party had requested information and submitted the case to the authorities.

considered completed

The first expert planner of the Betoambari Baubau Airport Organizing Unit (UPBU), La Rano, said that his party could only give a punishment in the form of not sending Arusani on that day. Moreover, Wings Air also did not make a complaint.

"Because the airlines (airlines) did not demand, we are considered finished. In fact, earlier there was an official apology letter signed by the passengers and the airlines," he said.

According to him, his party appealed to the public, especially prospective flight passengers, to never joke about bombs at airports, both at the checkpoint terminal and on the plane.

"In principle, we will not depart, if anyone complains, the law will be processed," he said.

According to the information gathered, after failing to depart via Betoambari Airport, the former South Buton Regent who is also the chairman of the regional PDI-P used another route across to Kendari City on the same day.