Ashes Cover Facilities; Yogyakarta Airport Still Closed

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengku Bowono X said the closing of Adisucipto airport in Yogyakarta was not due to the volcanic ashes, but due to the facilities at the airport which have yet to be completely cleaned.

"The problem (now) is not because of Mount Kelud. Rather, it's because of the cleanliness of the runway and the environment. If it’s not clean yet, we’ll still close it," he said at Yogyakarta Governor office today.

Therefore, the measure taken to make the airport functioning as before was to accelerate the cleaning process, said the Sultan.

In the meantime, Head of Yogyakarta Regional Police, Brigadier General Haka Astana, said the police have coordinated with the airport authority. Haka said to have deployed police officers to help clean the airport.

"If the airport does not operate yet, people won’t come here (to Yogyakarta)," Haka said after attending a coordination meeting with the Sultan and several regional heads.

One of the problems now is the low intensity of rain in Yogyakarta, according to Haka. Ashes still cover roofs and trees and the wind can blow them to the streets.

"The runway might be ready for use but if the supporting facilities are not, the airport is yet to function," he added.

PITO AGUSTIN RUDIANA