Jakarta (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — In a significant development for Indonesia’s aviation sovereignty, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of Indonesia, Bambang Soesatyo, has welcomed and endorsed the return of the Flight Information Region (FIR) over the Riau Islands and Natuna from Singapore to Indonesia.
FIR refers to a designated airspace where flight information services and alerting services are provided.
Popularly known as Bamsoet, he stated in Jakarta on Saturday (April 6, 2024) that the FIR over the Riau Islands and Natuna, covering altitudes from 0 to 37,000 feet, had been under Singapore’s control since 1946. This decision was established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Dublin, Ireland, in March 1946.
“Since then, any Indonesian aircraft passing through the Riau Islands and Natuna had to report to Singaporean aviation authorities,” Bamsoet remarked.
He emphasized that this move would strengthen the nation’s sovereignty, enhance aviation safety and security, and boost non-tax revenue for the country.
The former Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission III on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, and Security explained that Indonesia’s efforts to regain control of the FIR over the Riau Islands and Natuna had been a long and challenging journey.
Bamsoet cited previous attempts, such as in 1991 and 1993 during ICAO meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, which were unsuccessful.
“In 2019, during a meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, the issue of the FIR over the Riau Islands and Natuna was revisited. Indonesia agreed to a framework for negotiating the FIR with Singapore,” he added.
Furthermore, Bamsoet highlighted that on January 25, 2022, Indonesia and Singapore reached an agreement for the FIR over the Riau Islands and Natuna to be under Indonesia’s jurisdiction.
On September 5, 2022, President Jokowi signed Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2022 concerning the Ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore regarding the Adjustment of the Boundaries between the Jakarta Flight Information Region and the Singapore Flight Information Region.
“The FIR agreement between Indonesia and Singapore received approval from ICAO on December 15, 2023. It officially came into effect on March 21, 2024, at 20:00 UTC or March 22, 2024, at 03:00 WIB,” Bamsoet announced.
He asserted that with Indonesia now in control of the FIR over the Riau Islands and Natuna, it would enhance airspace security and safety in accordance with international civil aviation service standards.
Moreover, the government’s efforts to accelerate development and strengthen security in the outermost, frontier, and underdeveloped islands would be more attainable.
“Another benefit is the potential growth of the national aviation industry. Flight traffic could increase, reaching hundreds of flights per day, consequently boosting non-tax revenue for the country,” he concluded.
