TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The airport located within the PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) complex in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, has come under scrutiny. Several politicians claim that the airport, located in the heart of the nickel industry, is operating without government oversight.
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.
So, what is the IMIP Airport in Morowali that has attracted the attention of Oleh Soleh and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin?
Profile of IMIP Airport
According to the Ministry of Transportation's website accessed on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the IMIP Airport is a privately managed facility. However, the airport still operates under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transportation.
The IMIP Airport is one of two airports in Morowali. Apart from IMIP, the other operational airport is Morowali Airport, inaugurated by former President Joko Widodo in 2019.
The IMIP Airport is known by the airport code WAMP from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and MWS from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Morowali Airport's codes are WAFO (ICAO) and MOH (IATA).
The IMIP Airport is located at Jalan Trans Sulawesi, Fatufia, Bahodopi, Morowali, Central Sulawesi. It is approximately 4 kilometers from the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park. According to Google Maps, the journey between the two locations can be completed in under 15 minutes by car or motorcycle.
According to the Ministry of Transportation's website, IMIP Airport is classified as a non-class category. The same source notes that the airport also holds special operations and domestic usage statuses.
The IMIP Airport falls under the authority of the V Makassar Airport Authority. The airport has a runway measuring 1,890 meters in length and 30 meters in width, constructed with hotmix asphalt.
The critical aircraft type that can operate at the IMIP Airport is the Embraer ERJ-145ER. As per the Ministry of Transportation's data, Airbus A320 aircraft also operate at this airport.
In 2024, the IMIP Airport recorded 534 aircraft movements. Throughout the year, approximately 51,000 passengers utilized the airport for their air travel.
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