ASIATODAY.ID, PANGKALPINANG — Member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Herman Khaeron, has emphasized that any airport operating within Indonesian territory must be under full state authority and oversight.
His statement follows findings by the Task Force for Controlled Goods Supervision regarding the existence of an alleged independently operated airport inside the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) without adhering to national aviation procedures.
Herman stressed that all airports in Indonesia fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation, with operations managed strictly through its Technical Implementation Units or state-owned airport operators such as Angkasa Pura.
“If there is an airport operating independently, it must still be under the supervision of state institutions. If a governor senses something is being concealed, and Task Force for Controlled Goods Supervision finds an airport operating outside the national system, it must be regulated immediately,” Herman said in Pangkalpinang on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Past visits revealed lack of transparency
Herman noted that he had personally visited the Morowali industrial area, including IMIP and Bintang Delapan Mining. Between 2017 and 2018, he openly criticized the high number of foreign workers and the limited transparency within the area.
“Everything in the state system must remain transparent — both to the public and to government institutions. Strategic zones must be protected, but that does not mean they should be closed off from the national system.”
Enforcement is mandatory if violations are confirmed
Herman stated unequivocally that if IMIP is found to be operating an airport without proper permits, legal action must be taken without hesitation.
“If it operates outside the national system, then yes — it must be disciplined. The IMIP airport must be disciplined. Bintang Delapan Mining must be disciplined. Anyone violating the law must be disciplined.”
Airports are strategic state assets
According to Herman, airports play a crucial role in controlling the movement of people and goods. International airports, therefore, must host immigration, customs, and quarantine services.
“An international airport must have immigration and customs authorities to record all incoming and outgoing people and goods. Operating a free airport outside designated free zones is clearly a violation of the law.”
He warned that allowing airport operations outside the state framework is equivalent to creating a parallel system.
“It creates a system within a system — a state within a state. This is unacceptable.”
IMIP Airport’s special status revoked in October 2025
The controversy intensified after documents revealed that the Ministry of Transportation revoked IMIP’s “special airport” status through Ministerial Decree KM 55/2025, effective 13 October 2025. This revocation nullified the airport’s previous authorization to operate direct international flights.
Only Sultan Syarief Haroen Setia Negara Special Airport in Riau retains this status. IMIP and Weda Bay no longer have permission to serve direct international routes.
The ministry clarified that direct international flights at special airports are allowed only under specific circumstances such as medical evacuation, disaster response, or core business support — not routine operations.
Defense Minister: “There can be no republic within a republic”
The issue escalated further when Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin criticized the existence of an airport operating without state presence in a strategic area near Indonesia’s Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ALKI) II and III.
“This republic cannot tolerate a republic within a republic. All regulations must be enforced, regardless of who is involved.”
Following his remarks, the Air Force’s Rapid Action Corps (Korpasgat) was deployed to strengthen security and ensure that the airport complies with national regulations.
Ministry of Transportation: IMIP airport is registered
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana insisted that IMIP Airport is legally registered, although its international flight status has been revoked.
Despite this claim, the lack of immigration and customs presence — along with findings from Satgas PKH — continues to fuel public scrutiny.
Law enforcement cannot be negotiated
Herman concluded by urging the government to enforce existing regulations strictly.
“As long as operations follow national regulations, we respect them. But if they violate Indonesia’s laws and national system, they must face firm legal action.”
(AT Network)
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