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Netizens want West Java airport named after Habibie
BJ Habibie was connected to West Java throughout his entire life.
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The presidential aircraft is seen parked at Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, on May 24, 2018. (Tribun Jabar/Gani Kurniawan)
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ocal internet users are petitioning President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil to change the name of Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, to BJ Habibie Airport, after the former president who passed away on Sept. 11.
The petition, which started circulating online on Change.org on Monday, had already gained the support of 655 people as of the time of writing. It was started by an internet user named Ihsan Joe.
“He deserves to have his name commemorated in the West Java airport, since he was the one who established the Indonesian aircraft manufacturer in Bandung, West Java,” Ihsan said.
Habibie, who obtained a doctorate in aerospace engineering from Germany's RWTH Aachen University, served as the state-owned aircraft manufacturer's first chief executive from 1976 to 1985, when it was called PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN).
In response to the petition, Governor Ridwan said he appreciated the thought and would look into the proposal as soon as possible, since the late Habibie had been connected to West Java throughout his life.
“He met the love of his life in West Java before moving to Germany. He also went to school in West Java and established Indonesian aircraft manufacturer Industry Pesawat Terbang Nusantara [now PT Dirgantara Indonesia] there,” Ridwan said on Monday.
Ridwan said the petition was in line with an idea he had of demonstrating appreciation for Habibie. He said he would discuss the matter with the West Java Legislative Council. (dpk)
