Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Inauguration of Sota Integrated Border Post (PLBN), 3 October 2021, in Merauke Regency, Papua Province

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Good morning,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom.

Distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), Ibu Puan Maharani,

Distinguished Cabinet Ministers, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Minister of Investment, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, and Minister of Home Affairs,
Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI),

Distinguished Regent of Merauke and Regent of Asmat,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Border areas are the front line of Indonesia that represent the image of the nation. We must continue to develop border areas so that they reflect Indonesia’s development and give pride to our people.

To that end, in the last seven years, I have ordered renovation of national border posts in several areas across the nation with a new look, and most importantly with new and better services which reflect our commitment to develop Indonesia from border areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Sota Integrated Border Post is the eighth border post that the Government has built in Indonesian borders and the second one in Papua after the Skouw border post in Jayapura.

I am aware that the Sota Border post was built with an integrated concept. It has complete facilities, including commercial buildings, public and social facilities, rooms for staffers, places of worship, a market, pedestrian corridors, parking areas, as well as other supporting infrastructure.

I hope that the Sota border post will provide better services to Indonesian people who cross the Indonesian border to Papua New Guinea, increase security in border areas, stimulate developments in new economic centers, and make people at the border areas prouder of our country Indonesia.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, in the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I hereby inaugurate the Sota Integrated Border Post.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

May God bless us. (RI/EP)