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n area surrounding the Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Riau Islands, has been breached by illegal buildings, such as squatter homes and traditional markets, which have the potential to disrupt the normal running of the airport.

The Batam Free Trade Zone Management Agency (BPK FTZ) said it was powerless to deal with local residents who have further encroached on land around the airport, which should remain clear of people and personal activities.

BPK FTZ spokesman Ilham Eka Hartawan told The Jakarta Post that based on the Transportation Ministerial Decree on the Hang Nadim airport master plan, the total airport area covered 1,768.5 hectares, of which 1,762 hectares comprised the airport complex with 6.5 hectares set aside for expansion.

'€œIllegal activities have spilled over into the airport area, which should be free of public activities. We have made strenuous efforts to keep the area clear but to no avail,'€ he said.

According to Ilham, the illegal activities include the building of squatter homes, traditional markets and even a traffic police post. Many sections of a barbed-wire fencing, which had been set up to prevent squatters, have been damaged.

'€œAfter cutting the fence, the squatters then trespassed into the area and built homes and engaged in other activities,'€ said Ilham.

Based on an observation by the Post, a section of barbed wire at the edge of the airport next to a road intersection had been damaged and the land inside it used by squatters and a number of community organizations to build a traditional market.

The traffic police post and a house of worship have also been built there. Efforts to evict the squatters and demolish the market and homes have been carried out repeatedly but with no success.

Ilham added that several incidents had occurred that had the potential to disrupt flight safety, such as livestock wandering onto the runway. However, due to routine patrols by BPK FTZ security guards, the animals had been driven away.

'€œWe have heightened patrols on the airport'€™s land due to the countless illegal activities. We have also discussed the issue with a number of relevant parties to curb these activities,'€ Ilham said.