The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of\nIndonesia has emphasised the importance of managing Outermost Small\nIslands (PPKT) in national border areas by integrating security and\nsovereignty aspects with the fulfilment of basic needs and community\nwelfare. This view was presented by the Secretary of BNPP RI, Makhruzi\nRahman, during a Hearing (RDP) with the Special Committee (Pansus) for\nthe Bill on Archipelago Regions of the House of Representatives (DPR RI)\nin the Parliament Complex, Senat, Jakarta, on Tuesday (1\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Makhruzi, representing the Minister of Home Affairs as the Head of\nBNPP RI, stated that these outermost small islands are part of\nIndonesia\u2019s national strategic interests, meaning their management must\nconsider regional characteristics, population conditions, and\ndevelopment needs for each island.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutermost Small Islands are part of national strategic interests.\nTheir management needs to consider aspects of national security and\nsovereignty, as well as the fulfilment of basic needs and community\nwelfare,\u201d said Makhruzi.<\/p>\n
In its management approach, the BNPP differentiates the\ncharacteristics of these islands based on their population status. For\nuninhabited islands, priority is directed towards maintaining\nsovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, inhabited islands require an approach that combines\nsecurity, welfare, and sustainability through the provision of basic\nservices and the development of community activities.<\/p>\n
On uninhabited islands, security needs can be met through the\npresence of the Outermost Island Security Task Force (PAMPUTER),\nIndonesian Navy or Marine posts, security and weather observation\nstations, navigation officers, lighthouse keepers, as well as\nconservation and environmental officers.<\/p>\n
In addition to security, the physical protection of the territory is\nalso a key part of managing these islands, particularly to face abrasion\nand changing environmental conditions. These needs include\ninfrastructure to support non-military defence and security, such as\nabrasion embankments, revetments, and support for border patrols.<\/p>\n
On inhabited islands, several issues require attention, including\nlimited access to education, healthcare, transportation, and economic\nopportunities. These conditions have the potential to drive the\nmigration of the productive-age population to main islands in search of\nbetter access to basic services and economic opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeeting the basic needs of the community on outermost small islands\nis vital to maintaining the continuity of community life while\nsimultaneously upholding the resilience of border regions,\u201d said\nMakhruzi.<\/p>\n
Makhruzi believes that addressing the depopulation of these islands\ncannot be achieved solely through population resettlement; it must be\naccompanied by the development of a life ecosystem that allows people to\nsettle, access basic services, engage in productive activities, and live\nprosperously and sustainably.<\/p>\n
In this context, connectivity is a crucial factor. The construction\nof roads, ports, and airports in border areas not only opens access for\nthe community to basic services and economic activities but also serves\na strategic function in supporting defence, security, and border\nsurveillance.<\/p>\n
Regarding funding, the BNPP RI assesses that national strategic needs\nin these islands must continue to receive support through the State\nBudget (APBN), given that many island regions in border areas have\nlimited fiscal capacity.<\/p>\n
Under the draft Master Plan for the Management of National Border\nAreas and Border Regions (Renduk PBWNKP), strategic needs such as basic\ninfrastructure, connectivity, defence, security, and national-scale\nbasic services are planned to be sourced from the APBN through various\nministries and agencies.<\/p>\n
In line with this, Makhruim stated that the agency is encouraging\nministries and agencies that are members of the BNPP to prioritise the\npreparation of programmes, activities, and budget allocations related to\nthese outermost islands. This step is necessary to ensure that the needs\nof communities on small border islands are accommodated in national\ndevelopment planning.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnpp-emphasises-importance-of-managing-outermost-small-islands-in-archipelago-region-bill-1788353871", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }