Air Force sent to unsnarl traffic at Batam airport

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam | Archipelago | Tue, July 31 2012, 

Paper Edition | Page: 9

Local legislators, bureaucrats and senior police and Indonesian military (TNI) officers, among others, are using their official license plates to park in restricted areas at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, Riau Islands, an official at the airport has said.

This situation was so daunting that officials have reached out to the TNI for help.

“We have requested that the Air Force organize parking at the airport. Coincidentally, they also have a base here. But their numbers are limited compared to airport security guards. They [Air Force troops] are just for back up,” Hang Nadim Airport commercial affairs head Dendi Gustinandar said.

Six troops from the Air Force base at Hang Nadim Airport were seen outside the airport’s civilian terminals on Monday morning, asking motorists who parked in front of the airport’s departure and arrival terminals to drive on.

Dendi told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the airport asked the Air Force to step in after its security guards “gave up” enforcing traffic regulations following frequent arguments and fist fights with scofflaw motorists.

After only a few hours, the troops had produced results, Dendy said, despite a few who refused to listen.

“The effort was quite satisfactory. We are optimistic that the parking arrangements will be fine,” he added.

However, the involvement of the military to maintain public order has raised the ire of one local lawmaker, who said it evoked the heavy-handed use of force during the 32 years of the New Order regime under then president Soeharto.

Batam City Council Commission II chairman Yudi Kurnain said the use of Air Force troops to regulate parking indicated that the Batam Management Board was unable to manage the airport.

“We agree and support orderly parking at the airport, but it should go through an appropriate mechanism. The use of the Air Force in this case is very arrogant and excessive and is exactly like New Order methods,” Yudi said.

“We want this to stop,” he added.

Contacted separately, Lt. Col. M.J. Hanafie, the commanding officer of the Tanjung Pinang Air Force Base, declined to comment on the use of Air Force troops at the airport or the abuse of official license plates.