President Jokowi Inaugurates New Entikong Border Post
President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana and a number of ministers, visit the new border post in Entikong, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday (21/12) (Photo by: Laily/Presidential Secretariat.
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Wednesday (21/12) inaugurated the new border post (Pos Lintas Batas Negara/PLBN) in Entikong, Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, that separates Indonesia with neighboring Malaysia.
The new border post building was built for more than one year.
President Jokowi, which visited the border post twice January 2015 and March 2016 -, said that he instructed Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to demolish the old building of the border post and replace it with a better one.
Its all about the pride, about nationalism, about our dignity and self-respect. Across the border I could see the border post of our neighboring country is impressive, while ours is very ugly. At that time, I instructed Minister of Public Works and Public Housing that in one week, it has to be demolished. I also instructed the Minister that in two years, our post has to be better than that of our neighboring country. This is a pride that we want to build (to show) that we are a great nation, the President said.
President Jokowi added that the new border post in Entikong is not the only border post building that is being re-built by the Government. According to the President, there are at least six other border posts that are being re-built by the Government and they are ready to be launched by the end of this year. It turns out that we can make it, cant we? There are seven border posts that we have built. As long as we have a will, well make it. Theres nothing we cannot build, the President said.
However, President Jokowi reminded that the development of border areas should not be limited to the development of physical infrastructures only. Therefore, President Jokowi also instructed related ministers to immediately move the wheels of the economy in border areas. President Jokowi also wants that markets around the border posts can be immediately built to boost the economic growth of the locals.
Later on, once a big market is available, there will be economic activities. I think this is the benefit that we can get from the presence of a border post in Entikong as (one of) our outermost regions, the President said.
On that occasion, President Jokowi also reminded his administration to improve the quality of immigration services, customs services, and other services in line with the improvement of the border post.
In addition, President Jokowi also reminded against illegal levies.
Although Entikong is far from the capital, bear in mind that we now have the Saber Pungli (illegal levies eradication task force). Be careful. Weve arrested many. We dont want more people arrested here. Once Ive spoken, be careful. It means I will keep an eye on it, the President said.
President Jokowi also hopes that the new building of the border posts will also prevent smuggling, including the drugs smuggling from neighboring countries.
With the new border post, we hope we can eliminate smuggling, including drug smuggling, the President said responding the reporters questions.
President Jokowi also said that he is satisfied with the new border post building. However, he stressed that the development of border areas does not stop here and the Government will continue building other supporting infrastructures such as roads so that the border areas can be better and better.
Clearly, its getting better. However, there are still many that have not been finished (such as roads and others). Those are what were going to finish in two years, President Jokowi said.
Also joining the President in the visit to Entikong were First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Health Nila Moeloek, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Sofyan Djalil, and West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis. (UN/BPMI Setpres/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)
