PADANG - Angkasa Pura Airports along Kulon Progo Regency Government and dozens of journalist were touring the Minangkabau International Airport (BIM), Monday (3/11). Working visit which will take place over three days, this is one of the Angkasa Pura Airports agenda in preparing for the construction of a new airport in Yogyakarta. Chosen Minangkabau International Airport is not without reason. Service under the management of PT Angkasa Pura II was selected because it has similarities begin the preparation stage of land acquisition, as it is being implemented in Kulon Progo as a prospective location of the new airport of Yogyakarta.
"Our goal together Angkasa Pura Airports here is to absorb the information and experience of Angkasa Pura II to prepare the land for construction of the airport," said Triyono, Assistant Regional Secretariat for Economic Development and Natural Resources Kulon Progo. Present at the event was General Manager of Minangkabau International Airport Asep Supriatna, Corporate Expert Angkasa Pura Airports Aryadi Subagyo, as well as community leaders Minangkabau HB Rangkayo Sampono VII.
"Initiation of BIM development comes from the Ministry of Transportation. The Master Plan development has been around since 1980 and land acquisition was started in 1984," said Asep. Airport, which began construction in 2001 was finally completed in 2005 and officially managed by the Ministry of Transportation to Angkasa Pura II.
Another similarity the airport with new airport of Yogyakarta later is the land used for the construction of extant ownership of the local king. Even in Minangkabau, fully land used is a family owned HB Rangkayo Sampono VII. "At first it was conflicts of society. But I managed to convince people that the destination airport to change people's lives. More benefits than harm her, so we shall support," said Rangkayo. He admitted that land acquisition is not an easy journey. "His detours long enough, I could even be prosecuted to the Supreme Court. But the decision to keep the kingdom as the rightful owner of the land, the people were given the right to work on for five years," he explained.
Rangkayo added that residents who once rejected, now just grateful to the existence of the airport. Minangkabau society which he had just now there are fishermen-turned-businessman, contractors, and others. "It was like once not wear shoes, now wear and have three cars," joked Rangkayo.
Related to the number of residents affected, there is a significant difference. BIM just have to think of compensation to 30 families, while the construction of the new airport of Yogyakarta has to accommodate around 500 households. "The big difference is there. But the common thread remains the same, namely, how our good intentions to bring the airport not only for personal gain, but also for socio-economic improvement of the people," said Asep.
The key to successful development of the airport is located on the synergy between the Regional Government, Angkasa Pura II, and community leaders. "Especially the local government should determine the value of compensation is consistent because it is expected by society," said Asep. Furthermore, Rangkayo explained that the airport operator should pay extra attention to surrounding communities. "People should feel the benefits from the presence of the airport. The beneefits can be through employment, improvement of public facilities, or other support. Here it is pretty good, although we know that the airport was still losing money but no less attention," continued Rangkayo.
Various informations gained from the visit to continue the implementation of a provision in the plan of building a new airport in Yogyakarta. In accordance with the agenda that had been developed, it will be held mid-November a public consultation with the communities affected Kulon Progo development. Previously, Angkasa Pura Airports and local governments have successfully completed the promotion phase of development of a new airport in Yogyakarta. [Yuristo Ardhi]
