Gov’t to Continue Transportation Infrastructure Development in Tanjung Balai Karimun

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi inspects transportation facilities on Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands, Saturday (2/1). (Photo by: Ministry of Transportation)

In a bid to improve transportation connectivity in the country, the Government set to continue the development of Raja Haji Abdullah Airport and Malarko Port on Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands.

“I am instructed by the President to continue transportation infrastructure development in those frontier, outermost and least developed regions often referred to as 3T (terdepan, terluar, tertinggal) regions, including Tanjung Karimun which is a strategic outermost area facing Singapore and Malaysia,” Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said.

The Minister went on to say that Malarko Port on Tanjung Balai Karimun will be used as a deep seaport that can accommodate large vessels, provide facilities for loading and unloading of goods for export and import, as well as spaces functioning as warehouses.

According to Budi, the Government will cooperate with State-owned Enterprises and private sector regarding Malarko Port development, adding that there are an 800 × 6 m2 Causeway, a 110 x 10 m2 Pier and other facilities that have been built in that area.

On that occasion, Budi said that the Government also will extend the runway at Raja Haji Abdullah Airport to become 2,000-meters wide so that Boeing 737 airplane can land perfectly. It is also expected that the extension of the runway will complete by the end of 2021.

For the record, Raja Haji Abdullah Airport currently has a runway of 1400 x 30 meters, an apron of 75.2 meters x 60 meters, and a taxiway of 70 meters x 15 meters. It is also recorded an increase in the number of airplane passengers at the airport up to 20 percent in the past five years

Budi further said that the development of transportation infrastructure on the airside as follows: the establishment of Movement Area and Airfield Marking as well as airport airside drainage. Meanwhile, the development of transportation infrastructure on landside facilities namely: the expansion of the terminal parking lot and the runway to 2,000 meters, also the development of the airport’s supporting facilities.

For that reason, the Transportation Minister encouraged Regional Governments to complete the land acquisition issue for Airport and Sea Port development. Budi said that the development of the Airport and Sea Port is expected to be able to improve the economy in Tanjung Balai Karimun and its surroundings, considering that Tanjung Balai Karimun is one of the Free Trade Areas in the country.

“Karimun has great industry and tourism potential with a population of 200 thousand and it will be doubled if the Samudra Port has completed. Therefore, I ask the Regent, Karimun Police chief, Karimun District Military Commander, and relevant stakeholders to commit to run the program,” Minister of Transportation said.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that it will cost around Rp200 billion for the port construction and a total of Rp100 billion for the airport development, adding that there will be a collaboration between regional governments and private sector regarding the budget for ports financing.

To date, there are only flights by Susi Air with the existing routes of Tanjung Balai Karimun – Pekan Baru and Tanjung Balai Karimun – Dabo Singkep. (BKIP Kemenhub / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti