"Based on our monitoring, there are no foreign aircraft activities at the airport," Rear Marshal Palito Sitorus, territorial assistant to the TNI-AU chief of staff, said on Thursday.
He added that the Air Force would continue strengthening surveillance at the airport, which is operated by PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) and used to transport the company’s workers and logistics.
IMIP is an integrated nickel industrial zone covering upstream and downstream processes and producing materials such as stainless steel and carbon steel.
ANTARA recently visited the area with a National Defense Forces (TNI) delegation. Observations showed no government officers, such as customs or security personnel, stationed at the airport.
On November 19, the TNI conducted a joint military exercise at the airport to improve its ability to prevent illegal mining operations. During the visit, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin warned that irregularities could harm the country, particularly in the management of natural resources.
He cited the development of transportation facilities without government involvement as an example.
"The TNI is conducting training at an airport where no state personnel are present. This is an anomaly within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he said.
Sjamsoeddin said the situation could disadvantage the state because the government cannot directly monitor activities at IMIP Airport. He stressed that Indonesia does not allow a "state within a state" and instructed the TNI to tighten oversight of all transportation facilities to prevent illegal activities.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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