NEW YOGYAKARTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ENVISIONED TO BOOST TOURISM b Fardah

 

Jakarta, 29/8/2020 (ANTARA) - Yogyakarta, a Javanese sultanate and special autonomous province located in the central of Java Island, currently has a new and modern Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) that is 13 times bigger than its old Adisucipto Airport.


While inaugurating the new airport on Aug 28, 2020, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) claimed that the construction of YIA, which took just 20 months and cost Rp11.3 trillion (some US$777.4 million), is the best construction practice, so far, in Indonesia.


The new airport has a 3,250-meter runway, longer than the old Adisucipto Airport's runway measuring 2,200 meters. Wide-bodied aircraft, such as Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, can land at the new airport. It has a 219 thousand square-meter terminal, compared to 17 thousand square meters at the old airport's terminal. It has a capacity to accommodate 20 million passengers yearly, as compared to 1.6 million yearly at the old airport.


Jokowi is upbeat about the YAI being crowded once the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control.

"We know that we are still facing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, once we have the vaccination, Insya Allah (God willing), I believe that the airport can become the busiest. That is important," he affirmed.

Located in Kulon Progo District, Yogyakarta Province, the new airport is some 60 kilometers away from the worlds most popular Buddhist temple, Borobudur, designated by the Indonesian government as one of Indonesia's five super-priority tourist destinations.


Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi is optimistic that the YAI would attract domestic and foreign tourists, thereby helping aid economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infrastructure development intensifies to boost N Sulawesi Tourism

Sabtu, 6 Jul 2019 21:29

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 6/7 (Antara) - North Sulawesi, with a population of 2.4 million and located on the northern Sulawesi Island, or formerly known as Celebes, is looking forward to attracting more foreign tourists to visit the province.

They are offering a variety of natural panoramas, with beaches, hills, volcanic mountains, and scenic plateaus.

The scenic and biodiverse Bunaken Marine National Park, which is some 10 kilometers from the provincial capital of Manado is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The park has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage List.

Foreign tourist visits during the January-May 2019 period has reached 55,144, or a 9.67 percent rise than 50,284 travelers during the corresponding time frame in 2018, according to data of the Manado Immigration office. Of the total tourists, most came from China, reaching 86 percent, followed by two percent each from Singapore and Germany, and 1.3 percent from the United States.

North Sulawesi has been named as the Rising Star of Indonesia's tourism sector for its ability to boost its growth to 600 percent in the last four years. The number of foreign tourists visiting North Sulawesi, especially Manado and Bitung, had reached 20 thousand in 2015, rising twofold to 40 thousand in 2016, 80 thousand in 2017, and 120 thousand in 2018.

Within a four year span, in total, foreign tourist visits to the province have jumped sixfold. Similarly, the number of domestic tourists visiting the region has reached two million in 2016, with the figure continuing to increase to four million in the next year.

YEAR ENDER - INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT KEY TO STRENGTHENING CONNECTIVITY, UNITY by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 29, 2018 (Antara) - The Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - M. Jusuf Kalla administration has intensified infrastructure development across Indonesia during their first four-year term, starting October 2014, as the projects are expected to strengthen connectivity, economic growth, and national unity.

        Seeking a second term in office, incumbent Jokowi pledged that the government will next focus on making massive investment in human capital development to produce high-quality and competent human resources.

        The human resources development program, however, will be in synergy with other programs, including with physical infrastructure projects and technology innovation program.

        Hence, the government continues to allocate funds amounting to Rp400 trillion in the State Budget for the development of infrastructure in 2019, despite shifting its focus to the development of human resources.

       Funds for the 2019 State Budget will reach a total of Rp2,461 trillion for expenses, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani stated recently.

        Allocation for infrastructure will reach Rp400 trillion; health sector, Rp120 trillion; and education, Rp500 trillion, she outlined.

        During the 2015-2018 period, the government had developed new roads, stretching a total of 3,432 kilometers (km), in Kalimantan and Papua border areas as well as East Nusa Tenggara, among others. The new roads exceed the target of 2,650 km by 2019.

        The government has also built new bridges, spanning 39,798 meters, exceeding the target of 29,859 meters by 2019.

INDONESIA OFFERS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO INDIAN INVESTORS by Fardah

Jakarta, March 21, 2018 (Antara) - The Indonesian Government has invited several countries to participate in the development of infrastructure being carried out across the country to improve the national connectivity.

         China and Japan are currently been engaged in various infrastructure projects, such as rapid railway projects on Java Islands.

         Now, the Indonesian Government is trying to persuade India to be involved in the constructions of various other projects, such as seaports, airports, and railways.

         The offers were conveyed by Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi while speaking at an India-Indonesia Infrastructure Forum (IIIF) in Jakarta on March 19, 2018.

         Indonesia trusts India, because the south Asian nation is very experienced in developing large-scale infrastructure projects. 
     "I think good relations between Indonesia and India could be deepened and expanded in a concrete manner, especially in airport and seaport development. It is also not impossible in railway development projects," the minister told the forum¿s participants.

           He remarked that large-scale projects offered to Indian investors include the constructions of Kualanamu Airport of Medan in North Sumatra and Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport of Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, as well as medium-scale projects, such as Radin Inten II Airport of Lampung, Juwata Airport of Tarakan in North Kalimantan, and Komodo Airport of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.

            Seaport projects offered to Indian investors include the Kuala Tanjung port of North Sumatra and Bitung port of North Sulawesi. In addition, there are several small-scale projects in central Indonesian region.

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES BETTER MOBILITY TO N SUMATRA PEOPLE by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 19, 2017 (Antara) - North Sumatra has enjoyed rapid infrastructure development over the last several years, thanks to the economic policy of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration to improve the mobility of the people and make Lake Toba in the province a world-class tourist destination.

        Various infrastructure projects, such as constructions of airports, highway, toll roads, and seaports, have been underway to improve connectivity in North Sumatra.

        On Oct 13, Jokowi inaugurated the Medan-Binjai and Kualanamu Airport-Sei Rampah toll road sections, spanning 52 kilometers, in Kualanamu, North Sumatra.

         Jokowi, in the presence of State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Public Works and Housing Minister Basoeki Hadimoeljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and North Sumatra Governor Erry Nuradi, pressed a siren to mark the inauguration of the two toll road sections and expressed hope that the operation of the two toll road sections would increase the mobility of people and goods.

        He believed that if the mobility of goods increased and the transportation cost declined, then the cost of goods would be cheaper.

         Owing to high prices of goods, Indonesia has lost to other countries that offer lower prices, thanks to their solid infrastructure, he noted.

         He added that the construction of some toll road sections in North Sumatra has not been completed due to land clearance problems.

         The toll road sections include the 3.3-kilometer Tanjung Mulia- Sei Semayang section and the 10.15-kilometer Sei Rampah-Tebing Tinggi section.

CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY OBOR INITIATIVES by Fardah

Jakarta, June 20, 2017 (Antara) - A good connectivity is crucial for Indonesia, a huge country whose distance between the westernmost part of the archipelago and the easternmost is equal to the distance between London and Dubai or Los Angeles and New York.

         The vast Indonesian archipelago and its waters are rich in natural resources and tourist spots, but many of its outermost and remote regions are underdeveloped due to the lack of infrastructure and facilities.

         To improve connectivity and to address the underdevelopment in the country, the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration has accelerated infrastructure development in various regions, particularly in remote and eastern regions of Indonesia.

         The government has planned to build, among other things, airports, seaports, and roads.

          While speaking in a Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing, China, last May, Jokowi explained that the country's potentials are yet to be exploited optimally due to the lack of adequate infrastructure.

          "Hence, the biggest infrastructure development in the country's history is now going on," he pointed out.

          Addressing 28 heads of state and government, as well as chiefs of international organizations at the meeting, Jokowi stated that Indonesia, as the world's largest maritime economic zone located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has a strategic and important role to play.

        He lauded the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative and invited the leaders attending the Beijing forum to participate in the Indonesian development programs.

YOGYAKARTA TO HAVE MODERN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT by Fardah

Jakarta, Jan 28, 2017 (Antara) - Yogyakarta is quite famous internationally because the province is the gate for tourists wishing to visit the world's ancient and largest Buddhist temple Borobudur, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World cultural heritage.

         Besides this, Yogyakarta is known as the center of education and Javanese culture, as the Sultanate survives until now in the region, given a special authority status by the Central Government.

         Yogyakarta Sultan's Palace, where the Sultan and his family live, was built by Prince of Mangkubumi in 1755. Until now, the building remains upright and well maintained, attracting many domestic as well as foreign tourists.

         Besides, many visiting foreign leaders include a visit to Yogyakarta in their agenda to meet and hold discussions with the Sultan of Yogyakarta.

         Given the importance of Yogyakarta politically, culturally and economically, the Central Government has planned to build a modern international airport in Yogyakarta.

         A ground-breaking ceremony of the airport construction was attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana in Kulon Progo area, Yogyakarta, on Jan 27, 2017.

         Also present at the ceremony were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, among others.

         In his remarks, Jokowi said that the new airport will be an international airport that will offer all facilities to meet global standards.

         "The orientation of the airport will be global, and it will be an international airport with international standards," he noted.    
    The new airport is being built, as the existing airport in Adi Sutjipto is unable to handle the flow of passengers, which is far more than the airport's capacity.   
    The capacity of Yogyakarta's current Adi Sutjipto airport is 1.6 million passengers per year, but it has been used by 7.2 million fliers annually, the president revealed.

         Jokowi thanked the Yogyakarta administration, Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and residents of Kulon Progo for supporting the project.

         Indonesia's airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I has allocated Rp9.3 trillion for the construction of the new airport, which will be built on 587 hectares of land.

         In its first stage, between 2020 and 2031, the new airport will have a 130 thousand square meter terminal that can accommodate up to 15 million passengers per year. It will also have a 3,250-meter-long runway and an apron for 35 aircraft.

         In the second stage (2031-2041), the airport terminal will be expanded to 195 thousand square meters and will have the annual capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers.

         Its runway will stretch 3.6 thousand long, and its apron will have room to park 45 planes.

         To ensure that the construction work will be completed in time, Jokowi has instructed Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi to intensively supervise the construction process, because the project had already been postponed for several years.

         "I do not care how it will be done, but the most important thing is that the airport should be operational by March 2019," Jokowi stated.       
    Yogyakarta is the second most popular tourist destination in Indonesia after Bali.

         The new international airport will replace Adi Sutjipto's position as the main entry point for tourists to the city.

         Sumadi explained that the planned airport will have a 10-fold higher capacity than that of the existing Adi Sutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta.

         The Adi Sutjipto Airport will be shifted, as its capacity is limited and cannot accommodate more passengers and aircraft, he explained.

         The airport terminal currently measures only 15 thousand square meters. Its runway is only 2,250 meters in length and has an apron that can accommodate a maximum of eight aircraft.  
    According to the minister, the relocation of Adi Sutjipto International Airport to the new airport in Kulon Progo was to make room for more air traffic and to adapt to the fast-changing needs.

         "We need to relocate Adi Sutjipto airport as it cannot accommodate the increasing number of passengers and airplanes anymore," Budi said.

         The minister expressed his optimism that the planned airport can serve Hajj pilgrims leaving for Saudi once it is completed in 2019.

         "Currently, flights to the farthest destination from Yogyakarta are to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to a plan, the farthest destination to be served will be Jeddah, so that Yogyakarta's residents can go for Hajj from Yogyakarta," the minister stated during the ground-breaking ceremony.

         Meanwhile, the residents of Kulon Progo, whose land will be used for the project, are strongly opposing the construction of the new airport.

         Some 75 community groups in Yogyakarta are opposing the construction, claiming that legal and environmental studies do not back the project.

         The local people claim that the airport is being built in an area prone to geological disasters and thus poses risks, especially to air passengers. Besides, it will displace thousands of farmers from their productive farmlands and disrupt their livelihood.  ***1***
(f001/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE

(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 28-01-2017

TEAM ASSESSING HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY FEASIBILITY STUDIES PREPARED BY CHINA, JAPAN by Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 12, 2015 (Antara) - A team of consultants set up by the Indonesian government to look into  the feasibility studies for the High-Speed Railway (HSR) project prepared by two bidders - Japan and China, are currently  reviewing the reports.

       The government will announce in two weeks the winner of the contract between China and Japan for the country's 150km-long high-speed link between Jakarta and Bandung.

       The contract is for the construction of tracks and high-speed train on the similar lines as the Shinkansen train network, the then Minister for the National Development Planning Andrinof Chaniago  stated after a meeting with a Chinese delegation of 11 senior officials led by Minister for National Development and Reform Commission Xu Shaoshi in Jakarta on August 11, 2015.

        "We will take into consideration all aspects including inputs from outside," Chaniago  said.

MP3EI, EXTRAORDINARY PROGRAM TO BOOST EQUITABLE, BALANCED ECONOMIC GROWTH by Fardah

   Jakarta, Sept 12, 2014 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as the leader of a growing economic nation, has frequently promoted the need to achieve economic growth in equity.

          "It is clear from our deliberations that our ultimate goal of the post-2015 Development Agenda is to end world poverty and to improve the well-being of our citizens," the president said in New York, September 2012.

         He believed that an optimal balance should exist among economic growth, social equality, and environmental sustainability.

REALIZATION OF MP3EI PROJECTS MEETS GOVERNMENT'S EXPECTATION by Fardah

  Jakarta, Nov 9, 2013 (Antara) - In May 2011, the Indonesian government launched an ambitious program, called the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia's Economic Development (MP3EI), which was designed as part of the agenda for "development for all".

         The program is considered a strategic breakthrough in narrowing the development gap in the regions, to reduce unemployment, and to boost the nation`s economic growth through innovation.

INDONESIAN GOVT SEES PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN by Fardah

       Jakarta, Oct 17, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has claimed that its priority infrastructure development program called the Indonesian Economic Development Acceleration and Expansion Master Plan (MP3EI) 2011-2025 has made a lot of progress after being implemented for just one year.

       "Since it was launched on May 27, 2011, up until July 2012, the MP3EI programme has made a lot of progress. The groundbreakings of 135 projects, with a total investment of more than Rp490 trillion in infrastructure development and real sector, have already been done," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his state of the nation address before the Parliament, on August 16, 2012, a day before the 67th anniversary of Indonesian independence.

2013 BUDGET TARGETS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH By Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently revealed while presenting the draft state budget of 2013, that the proposed infrastructure spending for next year has been raised to Rp194 trillion or US $20 billion, up from the expenditure target of Rp169 trillion set for 2012.
     "We need to support national efforts aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, which will ensure sustainable growth," the head of state had said during his annual address on the draft state budget before Parliament on August 16.

INDONESIA PROMOTES INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OVERSEAS By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at a Monday evening banquet hosted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Darwin, Australia, invited Australian businessmen to invest in infrastructure projects within the Master Plan of Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI).
      "I invite Australian businessmen to be actively involved [in the MP3EI projects], not only in Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara, but also in Maluku and Papua," the head of state said.

NEW REGULATION EXPECTED TO PAVE WAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - Problems in acquiring land for infrastructure projects have so far been regarded as the main stumbling block that has delayed the development of a number of toll roads, bridges, and railroads in Indonesia.
     Based on the examples of other countries such as China, Indonesia has realised that infrastructure - such as roads and bridges that connect islands and cities - is crucial to help boost the country`s economic growth.

MP3EI, STRATEGIC BREAKTHROUGH TO ACCELERATE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 18, 2011 (ANTARA)- As part of the agenda of "development for all", the government last May 2011 launched the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI) 2011-2025 for the even distribution of development in all the regions in the country.

     When delivering his State Address before a joint session of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD) at the Parliament Building here Wednesday (August 16), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono described the MP3EI as a strategic breakthrough.

JAKARTA GEARS UP FOR REALIZATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 14, 2011 (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo have lately been busy discussing preparations for the implementation of infrastructure projects in Jakarta.
       They have given extra attention to the infrastructure projects after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had made a harsh criticism on stalled infrastructure development plans particularly in the capital city which is notorious for grave traffic jams.