T

he plan to expand Semarang Ahmad Yani International Airport has been delayed yet again because the utilization cooperation (KSP) agreement between the airport operator and local military commander has yet to be signed by either party.

The agreement was meant to be signed Monday but was postponed because the airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura I, said it still needed to hold a shareholders' meeting to discuss the matter.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo expressed disappointment, blaming the delay on what he described as long-winded bureaucracy.

'There are only two shareholders: the defense minister and finance minister. They could speed up the process by discussing the matter by phone,' Ganjar said in Semarang Monday evening.

Ganjar also said that the signing had been rescheduled for March 10. 'I hope it will not be just a signing ceremony but a ceremony that will actually get the project going again,' he said.

Meanwhile, Central Java Transportation, Communication and Information Agency head Urip Sihabudin said that the signing of the KSP document would be an initial step for the improvement and expansion of the airport.

Through the agreement, the airport would get an additional 20 hectares of land, while currently the airport covers 67 hectares.

'The bid for the developer has been conducted. The result will be announced once the signing is completed,' Urip said.

The project to expand and upgrade the airport began in 2011 during the rule of then governor Bibit Waluyo. The total cost of the development is predicted to reach Rp 1.14 trillion (US$98 million).

The delay, Urip went on, is also due to changes in the total number of land used to the additional 20 hectares required for the expansion.

The project will restart as when the finance minister issues a letter on Feb. 21 with regard to the state's income and asset utilization.

Separately, PT Angkasa Pura I's general affairs and communication section head Anom Fitranggono said that the delay was necessary because his company needed to hold the shareholders' meeting first.

Anom said that the company had to maintain accountability regarding the planned development and investment.

'We have to follow the regulation from our central office. We cannot simply resume the project,' he added.