PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Decades of service have been part of the life journey of Darno (63), a member of the Community Protection (Linmas) in Caringin Village, Bandung City. Since being entrusted with the position of Linmas at the RW level in 1999, Darno has consistently carried out his duties to help maintain security and provide services to the community to this day.

Darno's journey of service began when he was entrusted with the community service at the neighborhood unit (RW) level in 1999. Several years later, around 2004 or 2005, he was invited by the village head to assist with his duties at the sub-district level. Since then, Darno has continued his service as a member of the Caringin Village Community Service.

In carrying out his daily duties, Darno helps maintain security and order in the neighborhood. One of his routine duties is nighttime surveillance of the area.

Together with his Linmas colleagues, he went around controlling a number of RWs in the Caringin Subdistrict area.

"When patrolling, for example, we check neighborhood units (RW). In our family, there are several RWs, for example, six. We check RWs 1 through 6 every night," said Darno.

Even though he is now 63 years old, Darno's enthusiasm for carrying out his duties as a Linmas officer remains undiminished. For him, serving the community has become a part of his life, lived with sincerity and responsibility.

This devotion led him to an unexpected experience: the opportunity to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. This opportunity was made possible through voluntary donations collected from the residents of Caringin Village, willingly and without coercion.

Darno admitted he never made any special preparations or imagined himself going on the Umrah pilgrimage. He viewed the opportunity as a blessing and the will of Allah SWT.

"There's no feeling like going there or here. There's a program, it's being carried out by God. Maybe we're just called directly," he said.

The occasion was even more memorable for Darno because all his travel needs were taken care of. From travel equipment to passports, the entire process was assisted, ensuring a smooth Umrah journey.

"He said, 'Sir, you're on your way. Thank you very much,' that's all," he said.

The Umrah pilgrimage lasted approximately 10 days, from departure to return home. For Darno, the trip was a valuable experience after decades of service as a Linmas officer.

The opportunity to perform the Umrah pilgrimage also served as a way for Darno to express his gratitude for his journey of service. He never imagined that his years of service would lead to such a meaningful experience.

Now, at 63 years old, Darno continues his duties as a community service officer in Caringin Village. His decades of service are a simple tale of perseverance, sincerity, and gratitude in serving the community.

Darno's story demonstrates that service isn't always measured by the amount of recognition received, but by sincerity in carrying out responsibilities and providing benefits to the surrounding community. For Darno, continuing to be present and helping the community is a form of service undertaken wholeheartedly. (Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)
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Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung is increasingly active, with international flights targeted for October.

The reactivation of Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung continues to show progress. Following the inaugural flights to Lampung and Palembang on August 6 and 7, 2026, air connectivity from Bandung has begun to expand again.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said that flights outside Java are an important development in the process of reactivating Husein Sastranegara Airport.

"On August 6 and 7, there will be inaugural flights to Lampung and Palembang. This means we can now leave the island," said Farhan when met at the Horison Ultima Hotel in Bandung on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).

According to Farhan, this development indicates that Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung is starting to function again as one of the entry and exit points for Bandung City by air.

In addition to the existing flights, additional flights are also scheduled for August 14, 2026. Farhan said the flights will be served by Garuda Indonesia and Citilink jet aircraft.

In terms of infrastructure, Farhan confirmed that Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung is currently in excellent condition. The government, along with relevant parties, is currently making further improvements to several aspects of the airport's visuals and branding.

"The infrastructure is already very good. It's just being polished," said Farhan.

He said that the discussions currently being carried out intensively include the design of the writing, the size of the letters, and the branding elements that will be used in the airport area.

"We're currently having intensive discussions about designs, including how big the letters should be. That's what branding and other things are all about," he said.

These improvements were made to ensure that the appearance and identity of Husein Sastranegara Airport are increasingly ready to accommodate the increasing flight activity.

Not stopping at domestic routes, the Bandung City Government is also preparing steps to restore international flights from Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung.

Farhan stated that international flights are targeted to commence in October 2026. However, international flights will not be possible in the near future as they still require licensing and approval from the relevant authorities.

"Overseas travel is expected in October. It's not yet allowed, because permission must come from an international association," he said.

For the initial destination of international flights, Farhan said Singapore and Malaysia were two countries that had been included in the plan.

However, the Bandung City Government also wants to expand this connectivity to other countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and Cambodia.

"Singapore and Malaysia are definitely the ones I want to visit. But I'd like to add Phuket and South Thailand," Farhan said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)