Ichsanuddin: Defying Prabowo’s North Bali Airport Policy Risks Investment Certainty

Ichsanuddin Warns Against Defying President Over North Bali International Airport

JAKARTA – Senior economist Prof. Dr. H. Ichsanuddin Noorsy has argued that the ongoing debate over the development of the North Bali International Airport is no longer merely a dispute over project location, but a matter of consistency in implementing presidential policy and maintaining legal certainty for strategic national investment.

Economist says the North Bali airport controversy is about policy consistency, legal certainty, and the credibility of Indonesia’s strategic investment agenda.

His remarks came in response to reports on a technical coordination meeting attended by Bali Governor I Wayan Koster, Presidential Chief of Staff Gen. (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, and Head of the Special Development Control and Investigation Agency (Bappisus) Aries Marsudiyanto.

According to the reports, the meeting concluded that the proposed airport development would be directed to the Letkol Wisnu Air Base in Sumberkima Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency, while the Kubutambahan airport proposal had allegedly been ruled out.

Ichsanuddin questioned that conclusion, arguing that it appears inconsistent with Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 12 of 2025, which establishes the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

He referred specifically to Appendix IV, page 129, which outlines preparations for a toll road corridor connecting Singapadu–Ubud–Gianyar–Bangli–Kintamani–New North Bali International Airport–Singaraja.

“The wording clearly indicates a development corridor leading to a new North Bali International Airport. It does not describe a route from Kintamani to Singaraja and then to Letkol Wisnu Air Base in western Bali,” Ichsanuddin stated.

He said the wording of the RPJMN raises questions about claims that the Kubutambahan airport option has been closed, as the national development plan still refers to a new international airport in North Bali.

Ichsanuddin also linked the issue to President Prabowo Subianto’s political commitment.
According to him, Prabowo pledged to support the construction of the North Bali International Airport during meetings with Balinese traditional leaders (Penglingsir) on 13 February 2024 and again on 3 November 2024.

“In my view, if there are indeed actions that alter the direction of the program outlined in the RPJMN, then this is not merely an administrative difference. It constitutes defiance of the President’s policy and sends a negative signal regarding legal certainty for investment,” he said.

He stressed that ministries and regional governments should align their policies with the national development agenda established by the central government.

According to Ichsanuddin, the issue extends beyond airport location and directly affects regional economic equality, particularly efforts to accelerate growth in North Bali while maintaining investor confidence.

He warned that any policy shift could jeopardize investment commitments reportedly valued at around Rp50 trillion.
“Immediately stop any form of resistance to the authority of the state and any actions that undermine investment certainty,” Ichsanuddin emphasized.

He further urged President Prabowo to ensure that all ministries and regional administrations continue implementing strategic national projects in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2025.
Ichsanuddin argued that effective governance can only be achieved when all levels of government consistently follow the President’s policy direction.

Penglingsir Puri Se-jebag Bali.

Penglingsir and PT BIBU Panji Sakti Recall Presidential Commitment
Ichsanuddin also explained why Balinese Penglingsir and PT BIBU Panji Sakti continue to remind the government of the North Bali International Airport commitment.

According to him, on 13 February 2024, one day before Indonesia’s general election, 13 Balinese Penglingsir and representatives of PT BIBU Panji Sakti met with then-presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, who was serving as Minister of Defense.

During that meeting, Prabowo reportedly expressed his commitment to developing the North Bali International Airport if elected President.

Today, the Penglingsir and PT BIBU Panji Sakti continue to urge the government to fulfill that commitment, believing the project would become a key driver for balanced regional development and economic progress in North Bali.

Prof. Dr. H. Ichsanuddin Noorsy