President Wants Indonesian Borders Better than Neighboring Countries

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo delivers a press statement after ratas on Entikong border, West Kalimantan, at President Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/7).

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants in next one-two years, the look of the Indonesian border should be better than neighboring countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, as well as East Timor.

President expressed his wish in the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the development of border area, particularly Entikong, West Kalimantan. The desire is also conveyed at the opening meeting at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/7).

“We want to fix the conditions on the border of Kalimantan and Papua,” the President said.

Other than the border infrastructure that is not optimal, the President said that during this time the economic opportunity such as export and import has not been well explored.

“It seems clear when I reviewed Entikong border posts in January, there is the import and export opportunities but we did not use it well,” the Head of State said.

President gave an example such as Malaysia, which establishes one point in the border areas in Sarawak region become an international port and encourage the import export.

“It takes a synergy of all ministries, because this year in all of our borders will be built and I expect all coordinate. So we expect the border could be used up by the people and can serve the import export, and the police is expected to be done the eradication of illegal activities in addition to the economic opportunities of export imports,” the President said, as Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo said after the meeting.

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo added, as an initial step, the government has allocated a budget of Rp 1 trillion to revamping the border crossing at Entikong, West Kalimantan.

Minister of Public Works and Housing Hadimuljono Basuki said, the border development program launched by the President in early 2015, covering border of West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Borneo, NTT, and Sekau in Jayapura, Papua.

Attending the meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, National Police Chief Gen. (Pol) Badrodin Haiti, Minister of Transportation Igansisus Jonan and Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono. Also, present Governor Cornelis.  (DNS/DID/SLN/RAH/ES)