November 26, 2025 | 09:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) responds to prodding about the status of an airport located within its complex in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. The airport came under scrutiny after a number of politicians claimed that it operates without government oversight.
PT IMIP Media Relations Manager Dedy Kurniawan said the Ministry of Transportation acknowledges the airport's operations. "The IMIP Special Airport is registered with the Ministry of Transportation," Dedy wrote in a brief message on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Dedy declined to provide further comments about the airport's management. He instead advised that further inquiries be directed to the Makassar Region Airport Authority, which oversees the airport's operations.
Special Airports Regulated in Indonesian Aviation Law
Dedy maintained that special airport management is regulated under Aviation Law No. 1 of 2009. Article 247 of the law states that the government, regional government, or Indonesian legal entities may construct special airports to support specific activities, upon obtaining construction permits from the Minister of Transportation.
The same article specifies that permits for the construction of special airports must fulfill requirements such as proof of land ownership and occupancy, recommendations from local governments, detailed technical designs of basic facilities, and environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, the Aviation Law stipulates that supervision and control of special airport operations are carried out by the nearest airport authority designated by the minister.
In addition, special airports are barred from serving direct flights to and from foreign countries, except under specific and temporary circumstances after obtaining approval from the minister.
The Aviation Law also prohibits public use of special airports, with an exemption for minister-approved special circumstances. However, it is mentioned that special airports may serve public purposes after fulfilling the airport requirements set by the Ministry of Transportation.
IMIP Airport Under Scrutiny
Previously, several politicians claimed that the IMIP Airport, located in the center of the nickel industry, operates without the involvement of government authorities.
Member of House Commission I (DPR), Oleh Soleh, highlighted the absence of a government role in overseeing the IMIP airport area. He claimed that no government official, whether from aviation authorities, customs, or immigration, has access to the area.
Based on this, Oleh Soleh urged the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Finance, and the defense and security authorities to take legal and regulatory measures.
"This must be thoroughly investigated. The government must not hesitate to take strict action against anyone operating strategic facilities without government authority. Sovereignty is non-negotiable," stated the politician from the Nation Awakening Party in a written statement quoted on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin viewed the lack of supervision by customs and immigration at the airport as an anomaly. The Secretary-General of the National Defense Council deemed the airport's existence a threat to Indonesia's economic sovereignty.
He intended to report this finding to President Prabowo Subianto. "There cannot be a republic within a republic. We must enforce all regulations without considering anyone's background," stated Sjafrie in a written statement quoted from the Ministry of Defense's website on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article
Editor’s Choice: IMIP Airport Profile: Morowali Airport Under Scrutiny
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
IMIP Airport Profile: Morowali Airport Under Scrutiny
4 jam lalu
Indonesia's House Members and the Minister of Defense emphasized the absence of state oversight at IMIP Airport.
Indonesian Govt Finds Foreign Workers Using Visit Visas in IMIP Companies
4 September 2025
The Manpower Ministry has issued a direct warning to companies that continue to employ foreign workers without an RPTKA.
Ministry Concerned Over Another Fatal Workplace Accident at PT IMIP Area
19 Februari 2025
A worker from PT OSIM, one of the companies operating in the IMIP area, died after being crushed by a 150-kilogram material.
Indonesian Govt Urged to Evaluate Nickel Downstream After Explosions at IMIP Smelters
1 November 2024
Prabowo-led government urged to evaluate the minerals downstream program after a series of work accidents occurred at the IMIP smelting area.
Repeated Accidents at Morowali Nickel Smelting Area; Workers Call for Improved Safety Standards
31 Oktober 2024
Workers urged all companies operating in the nickel smelting area to be identified following a series of accidents.
Explosion at IMIP Nickel Smelting Industrial Area Morowali Traumatizes Workers
30 Oktober 2024
Two explosions occurred within 5 days at the IMIP nickel smelting industrial area in Morowali
Morowali Smelter Blast; PT IMIP Workers Urge Company to Improve OHS System
28 Desember 2023
Compensation given to the victims of the smelter fire at PT IMIP is not an adequate remedy for the situation.
Nickel Smelter Furnace Explosion: Walhi Central Sulawesi Urges Govt to Stop PT IMIP Production
24 Desember 2023
Central Sulawesi Forum for the Environment (Walhi) urges the govt to stop nickel production at PT IMIP after a nickel smelter furnace exploded.
