House Commission I Proposes Upgrading Banjarmasin Naval Base to Type A

Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission I Bambang Heri Purnama stated that his side has proposed upgrading the Indonesian Navy Base (Lanal) Banjarmasin, currently Type B, to Type A following the development dynamics of South Kalimantan as a supporter of the Nusantara Capital (IKN). “I have met with the Navy Chief of Staff to convey this proposal directly, and he strongly supports it,” Bambang said in Banjarmasin on Sunday. As one of the requirements, he revealed, Lanal Banjarmasin must have its own dock. He also expressed full readiness to support the construction of a dock in the Barito River waters as required for a Type A Lanal standard. According to him, South Kalimantan deserves to have a Type A Lanal based on the region’s geography and its long history during the struggle for Indonesia’s independence. “Banjarmasin is nicknamed the city of a thousand rivers; we also have a national hero from the Navy, Brigadier General Hasan Basry, whose name is immortalised on the KRI Hasan Basry ship,” said the legislator from the South Kalimantan I electoral district. Moreover, institutions like the South Kalimantan Police (Polda Kalsel) have already been Type A status, led by a two-star general police chief, and the Korem 101/Antasari by a one-star general. Therefore, he said, it is time for Lanal Banjarmasin to also be led by a one-star general. Meanwhile, the Commander of Lanal Banjarmasin, Lieutenant Colonel (N) Galih Nurna Putra, expressed gratitude for the full support from Commission I of the House of Representatives in proposing the upgrade of Lanal Banjarmasin’s type. “In principle, we are ready and strongly agree; hopefully, it will soon be realised with the approval of the Navy Chief of Staff, TNI Commander, and of course the Ministry of Defence,” he said.