Opening Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Kuabang Airport Terminal on Wednesday, 24 March 2021 at Kuabang Airport in Kao Sub-District, North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, Minister of Transportation and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises,

Distinguished Governor and Vice Governor of North Maluku province as well as Military Commander, Chief of Regional Police, all members of Regional Leadership Communication Forum, and Chairperson of North Maluku House of Representatives,

Distinguished Regent of North Halmahera regency,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Many people asked me why infrastructure is the current focus of our country’s development. Let me tell you that infrastructure is more than its form. In fact, more things will emerge and develop because of infrastructure. Infrastructure builds civilizations. We often fail to realize that infrastructure builds civilizations.

Imagine, for example, back then when there was no road from North Halmahera to Sofifi. We had to walk. Now that we have a road, we can take a bus, we can ride a motorcycle, we can drive a car. It builds a new civilization. And now we have an airport. What does it mean? We must be disciplined to be punctual because the time to fly to another city has been determined. If we are not punctual, we will miss the plane. It also forms new discipline, builds a civilization.

Second, (it) builds competitiveness so that we can compete against other regions, against other countries. We need to realize that building infrastructure is not only about physical construction. No it is not. It also builds competitiveness against other countries.

Third, this is for social justice for all people of Indonesia. I often hear, “Sir, don’t just build roads in Java island. Don’t just build airports in Java and Sumatra islands. We people in the east also have the same right to have airports, to have good roads.” And the demands are true. Once again, this construction is also for social justice for the whole Indonesian people.

Fourth, uniting, establishing our unity and integrity, uniting different regions, regencies / cities, provinces, islands, so that we remain united. We can fly from North Halmahera to Jakarta, to Aceh, to Kalimantan, and also to the east, to Papua. It can unite us.

Therefore, I am pleased to announce that, thank God, the passenger terminal at Kuabang airport is ready to operate to support activities of people in North Halmahera regency and its surrounding area. We hope there will be new spots of economic growth around this airport.

Minister of Transportation has informed me that before the pandemic, there were two flights and one charter flight. That is the usual operation. However, it was discontinued due to the pandemic. Now, it only operates if there is a charter flight.

This morning I ordered Minister of Transportation and the General Director to immediately operate at least two flights to Kuabang airport in a week. Therefore, the number of flights will not increase too drastically in a normal situation as it begins with two flights a week. It will increase again in the normal situation to three flights a day.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion and by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby inaugurate Kuabang airport terminal in Kao sub-district, North Halmahera regency, North Maluku province.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (DH/MEP)