Border management involves more than just territorial security; it\nencompasses economic activities and the social relations of communities\non both sides of the national boundary. This reality has prompted\nIndonesia to strengthen communication with neighbouring nations to\ndiscuss both challenges and opportunities for cooperation in border\nregions.<\/p>\n
Indonesia shares borders with ten neighbouring countries, comprising\nthree land borders\u2014Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste\u2014and seven\nmaritime borders, namely Singapore, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam,\nThailand, India, and Palau.<\/p>\n
The diverse characteristics of these borders mean that management\ninvolves various aspects, ranging from sovereignty and security to\ntrade, population mobility, and socio-cultural relations. Consequently,\ncommunication with neighbouring countries is a vital element in managing\nborder areas.<\/p>\n
The National Border Management Agency of the Republic of Indonesia\n(BNPP RI) reinforced this communication through the \u2018Indonesia Border\nPartnership Coffee Morning\u2019 held at the BNPP RI Permanent Secretariat\nOffice in Jakarta on Wednesday (16\/09\/2026). The forum, themed\n\u201cStrengthening Cooperation in Managing Our Border to Promote\nProsperity,\u201d brought together BNPP RI and several diplomatic\nrepresentatives from neighbouring nations.<\/p>\n
The forum was led by the Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito\nKarnavian, in his capacity as the Head of BNPP RI. In his opening\nremarks, Tito stated that maintaining good relations with neighbouring\ncountries is a crucial part of BNorkan BNPP RI\u2019s mandate to coordinate\nministries and agencies in managing border areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst and foremost, it is to protect national sovereignty,\nspecifically to guard and secure our territorial boundaries,\u201d Tito said\non Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Border management involves several entities, including the Indonesian\nNational Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), immigration,\ncustoms, quarantine, as well as relevant ministries and agencies. BNPP\nRI also manages Integrated Border Posts (PLBN), which currently number\n15 and are targeted to increase to 24.<\/p>\n
Beyond security aspects, BNPP RI is mandated to develop border areas\nas zones for economic growth and international interaction. Tito\nbelieves this approach requires a shift in perspective regarding border\nregions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe border is no longer merely Indonesia\u2019s \u2018backyard\u2019. We want to\ncreate the border as the \u2018front yard\u2019 of the nation,\u201d said Tito.<\/p>\n
According to Tito, developing border areas requires communication\nwith neighbouring countries so that growing economic activities can\nbenefit communities on both sides of the border. Social, cultural, and\nkinship ties across borders also influence population movement patterns\nfor trade and family visits.<\/p>\n
Tito cited the situation on the Papua New Guinea border, which\nfeatures cross-border community relations. \u201cIn Papua New Guinea, there\nare citizens of Papua New Guinea living in Indonesian border areas; I\nhave met them. Similarly, some Indonesians live in Papua New Guinea.\nThis is quite unique for us,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
In addition to regional development, resolving territorial boundary\nissues remains a priority. Tito expressed appreciation for discussions\nwith Malaysia, which have resulted in the resolution of several disputed\nareas, although the issue of Sebatik Island remains a point of focus in\nbilateral relations.<\/p>\n
BNPP RI, alongside relevant ministries and agencies, has formed a\nspecial team to discuss the Sebatik Island issue with the Malaysian\ngovernment. These discussions demonstrate that border management\nencompasses not only the demarcation of boundaries but also the\ngovernance of the regions and the activities of the populations living\naround them.<\/p>\n
Through this dialogue forum with neighbouring countries, border\ndiscussions are directed towards two parallel interests: maintaining\nterritorial sovereignty and developing the region. This approach ensures\nthat border management is increasingly linked to population mobility,\ninternational relations, and economic activities within the border\nzones.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnpp-ri-establishes-border-dialogue-with-10-neighbouring-nations-1789577829", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }