Bali Leaders Raise Questions Over New Bali Airport Plans In Emerging Tourism Destination

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Earlier this week, the team behind the North Bali International Airport development project announced that, after years of waiting, they have finally secured funding for the multi-million-dollar initiative.

Yet, just as the development team celebrates more green lights, Bali Governor Wayan Koster is questioning the sources of the funding. 

Word that the North Bali International Airport construction project is back on the cards hit headlines this week after the Indonesian Minister for Community Empowerment and Equal Development, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, stated that the national strategic project had received the blessing of President Prabowo Subianto.

The team behind the project, at PT BIBU Panji Sakti, also spoke to reporters to reveal that they had secured funding for the project. 

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A post shared by BIBU Panji Sakti (@bibupanjisakti)

However, the entire situation has once again been cast into doubt as Bali Governor Wayan Koster questions the source of funding for the mega development project.

Speaking after a Bali Provincial Government meeting this week, Governor Koster told reporters, “Oh, PT BIBU wants to build, where does the money come from?” When asked if the company had made contact with the provincial government regarding the project, Governor Koster simply explained, “There is nothing yet.”

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A post shared by BIBU Panji Sakti (@bibupanjisakti)

He told reporters that he has not received any clarity from the central government regarding the development, nor the substantial amount of supporting infrastructure that would need to be put in place to make it happen, including a new highway between Ubud and North Buleleng Regency.

Governor Koster told reporters, “As for the discourse, it has been there for a long time. But if the central government really wants to build, of course, we will follow that policy. But what has not been clear yet is that the supporting facilities are not yet available.”

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A post shared by BIBU Panji Sakti (@bibupanjisakti)

Speaking separately, the Deputy Chairman of the Bali DPRD from the Golkar Party, Ida Gede Komang Kresna Budi, gave his backing for the development.

He shared, “If we are from Buleleng, of course, we really hope that this airport will be [built]. And after the Presidential Decree came out, there was a dynamic [shift]. Yes, hopefully with the new airport, we hope that our children will no longer have to go outside the region to find work.”

He added, “The important thing is that there is a (new) airport, there will be many jobs that will open, the economy will move, right. Later, our problem infrastructure will also develop.”

The comments from Governor Koster and Deputy Chairman Budi come just days after the President Director of PT North Bali International Airport (BIBU), Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko-Hariwibowo, told reporters that the groundbreaking of the airport site could happen later this year. 

Adiatmoko-Hariwibowo revealed to the media that the project has secured international investment and that the major new international airport, as well as aerotropolis, a power plant, retail, lifestyle, and entertainment facilities, will all be built without using a rupiah of government money.

The airport itself is set to have an annual capacity of 32 million passengers, surpassing that of the island’s only existing airport, I Gusti Ngruah Rai International in Denpasar. 

Adiatmoko-Hariwibowo told reporters, “This year it must be. Maybe a matter of months. I am not ahead of God. We are waiting for the location of the groundbreaking (Penlok) to be prepared by the Ministry of Transportation. Just wait for time.”

He revealed that IDR 50 trillion in private funding has been secured, which equates to USD 3.09 billion. 

Speaking on behalf of the central government, Indonesia’s Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskander, shared, “I talked to the president many times, and the president is also okay.”

“The president’s blessing has been obtained, technical equipment has been prepared, and we will continue to try to realize the North Bali International Airport as soon as possible.”