BIBU CEO Erwanto: Investment Must Help Communities Grow

CEO of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, during a public lecture. 

MATARAM — The development of the North Bali International Airport is being promoted not merely as a strategic infrastructure project, but also as a model of social investment aimed at delivering direct benefits to local communities.

The idea was conveyed by the CEO of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, during a public lecture themed “Social Investment as a Driver of People-Based Economic Growth in the Development of North Bali International Airport” at Universitas Mataram on Thursday (May 7, 2026).

The event, held at the Senate Hall of the university, was attended by around 200 participants, including students, lecturers, and community leaders. The lecture was opened by Rector Prof. Dr. Sukardi and moderated by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana.

In his presentation, Erwanto emphasized that economic development must go hand in hand with community empowerment and respect for local socio-cultural values.

“Business is not only about profit. It is about trust, benefits, and blessings,” Erwanto said.

According to him, the airport project in Kubutambahan District, Buleleng Regency, has been designed using a social investment approach that positions local residents as an integral part of the development process rather than merely those affected by the project.

One of the key concepts proposed is the development of an aerotropolis area covering approximately 20,000 hectares without transferring ownership of residents’ land. Under the scheme, local people remain the owners of their assets, while land management is carried out through a leasing system.

“People’s land will not be taken over or transferred. The community remains the owner of the assets,” he said.

Erwanto explained that the approach was chosen to minimize the social impacts often associated with large-scale projects, particularly the loss of local living spaces due to land conversion.

He also stressed that development in Bali must not only comply with administrative regulations but also gain acceptance from customary and cultural communities.

“In Bali, development is not enough to be legally compliant. It must also be accepted culturally and traditionally,” he stated.

According to Erwanto, support for the project has already been shown by 13 villages in Kubutambahan District through traditional ceremonies involving village heads, customary elders, and religious figures in Buleleng Regency.

Apart from infrastructure development, PT BIBU has also initiated community empowerment programs in education and the creative economy sector. One of the initiatives includes cooperation with SMK Taruna Mandara Singaraja to prepare skilled human resources for the aviation industry.

“We do not want local communities to become mere spectators in their own region,” Erwanto said.

The company has also been assisting artisans in Bengkala Village by opening access to domestic and international markets. Meanwhile, for fishing communities along the Kubutambahan coast, the company said it has conducted persuasive outreach and technical studies regarding the impact of the airport development on fishing activities.

Erwanto noted that the airport site was selected because it is considered not to interfere with fishing routes or coral reef ecosystems. He added that the project has also obtained technical approval from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

PT BIBU has reportedly ordered three N-219 amphibious aircraft to support the distribution of seafood products from fishing centers directly to export markets.

“Fish, seaweed, and aquaculture products must be directly connected to global markets. Air infrastructure must provide direct benefits to the people,” he said.

Rector of Universitas Mataram, Prof. Dr. Sukardi, described PT BIBU’s development approach as an important perspective for future development because it seeks to balance investment, social sustainability, and community empowerment.

“Future development requires a balance between investment, social sustainability, and community empowerment. Perspectives like this are important for students to learn,” Sukardi said.

At the end of the lecture, Erwanto reiterated that investment would have greater meaning if it contributed to broader community growth.

“If an investment only makes a company grow, that is ordinary. But if investment helps society grow as well, that is what truly gives it meaning,” he said.

Editor — Ray