Gov’t Develops Serasan Cross-border Post in Riau to Boost Economy in 3T Regions

A design of Serasan Cross-border Post in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing PR)

The Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing continues the construction of Serasan Cross-border Post in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands.

The construction of Serasan Cross-border Post which is in line with Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2019 on Acceleration of Development of 11 Cross-border Posts and their Supporting Facilities in Border Areas is intended not only to safeguard national security but also to serve as the new center for the development of regional economy in 3T (frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped) regions.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that the development of the cross-border post is an instruction from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to support social and economic condition of those living in border areas.

“Development of cross-border posts serves not only as an entry gate (to the state) but also as the center for the development of regional economy that is expected to increase prosperity of those living in border areas,” the Minister said on Wednesday (30/12).

For the record, Serasan Cross-border Post is a sea border crossing where 30 people cross the post every week.  It borders with Vietnam and Cambodia in the north, as well as Singapore and Malaysia in the west and east, respectively.

Serasan Cross-border Post was constructed on 5 November 2020 and is projected to complete on 27 February 2022. To date, the progress of project with a total budget of Rp133.1 billion taken from the 2020 and 2021 State Budget in a multi-year contract has reached 81.26 percent for target in 2020.

The development of Serasan Cross-border Post covers construction of warehouse, housing complex for staff, administration office, water tower, car wash facility, waste management facility, border security post, power house, and other supporting facilities.

In the upcoming years, the development will be expanded to the construction of harbormaster office to support the control of sea transport.

For the record, the development of cross cross-border posts is a part of the Government’s commitment in developing the country from border areas and in supporting equitable development. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing PR/UN) (RAS/LW)