Government to retain control of airports, seaports: Minister

JAKARTA (JP): The government will continue to control the management and operations of airports and seaports in the country despite greater authority given to regional administrations, a senior minister said on Thursday.

Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar said on Thursday that strict international conventions related to the operations of both seaports and airports made it impossible for regional administrations to take control of them.

"Regional administrations must understand this, operating an airport is not the same as operating a bus station," he told reporters.

He said that Indonesia should abide by international aviation conventions and standards in dealing with international flights and shipping.

Agum was speaking after opening a coordination meeting between his office and representatives from regional administrations across Indonesia.

The minister acknowledged that many local governments considered that the wider autonomy given to them to manage their social and financial affairs would allow them to take over management and operations of all public utilities in their provinces.

"There are still some regions that, during the initial euphoria over autonomy, demanded control over airports in their area, without realizing the responsibility involved," Agum said.

The implementation of autonomy laws beginning this year allow local governments to manage their own social and financial affairs.

In the meantime, Director General of Air Communications, Soenaryo Yosopratomo said that although regional administrations would not have the right to operate the main functions of an airport, it could manage its supporting facilities.

"Regional administrations could run parking facilities, shops, or other public facilities needed at an airport," he said, adding that this would have to be done in cooperation with airport operators.

The main functions of an airport include those regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) such as air traffic control, airport security, and airplane movement facilities such as airstrips, runways, aprons or airplane parking areas.

Currently there are 161 airports operated by the Ministry of Air Communications, 23 airports managed by state-owned companies PT Angkasa Pura I and PT Angkasa Pura II, and one airport managed by Batam Authority, according to Soenaryo.

The operation of seaports could also not be wholly given to regional administrations.

The Director General of Sea Communications, Tjuk Sukardiman, said that since seaport operations are also strictly regulated by international standards, only its supporting facilities could be managed by regional administrators.

However, regional administrations could share the ownership of commercial seaports, he said.

"The seaports could be jointly owned by central government and a regional administration based upon a mutual agreement of cooperation," he said in his speech.

Non-commercial seaports could be owned and operated by regional administrations, Tjuk added. (tnt)