According to the deputy chair of Commission II, Dede Yusuf, the authority deliberated on a proposal to open the Nusantara International Airport, which currently serves only VVIP flights, to the public.
“VVIPs may not use the airport every month. Meanwhile, opening it for the public means that everyone can use it,” he explained at the Parliament Complex.
As the closest public airport to Nusantara is in Balikpapan, the legislator said he is optimistic that lifting the VVIP-only status of the Nusantara airport would be more convenient for locals.
“I believe that we have agreed to open the airport for public use,” he said while highlighting that the airport’s 3-km runway can accommodate a Boeing 777 plane carrying hundreds of passengers.
He also informed that the meeting also discussed the proposed reduction in the size of residences designated for government officials in Nusantara city, to align with the current global trend favoring more compact housing.
“The OIKN head proposed to reduce the housing size by 20 percent. For instance, a 500-square-meter house will be reduced to 400 square meters,” Yusuf said, adding that the commission approved the proposal.
He noted that so far, 44 thousand housing units have been prepared for government officials, state apparatus, and police and military officers in the new capital.
He then clarified that the meeting did not discuss the proposed moratorium on the new capital’s development. “Just these two issues and nothing else,” he emphasized.
In contrast, the parliamentary commission reiterated its support for the development of the new capital with the committed budget, as approved by all parties, the deputy chair added.
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Translator: Melalusa Susthira, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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