18 Indonesian Provinces Share Borders with Other Countries; These are the Common Problems They Face

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR — The Indonesian National Border Management Agency (BNPP) held a coordination forum on facilitating legal issues in border areas, entitled “BNPP Bersoleg (Discussing Legislation)”.

The forum, initiated by the Bureau of Law, Organisation, and Human Resources, serves as a strategic platform for the BNPP to align perceptions and strengthen synergy between central and regional authorities in implementing its mandate for border area management.

The event was opened by the BNPP Expert Group, Hamidin, who emphasised that border area management has a strong normative basis, as stipulated in Law No. 43 of 2008 concerning State Territory, particularly Article 14.

“This forum brings together heads of border management agencies from provinces, regencies, and cities across Indonesia, including heads of departments responsible for border affairs in regional secretariats, as well as heads of Border Crossing Posts (PLBNs),” said Hamidin in a written statement on Friday (15/5/2026).

To date, Indonesia has 18 provinces and 74 regencies/cities that share direct borders with other countries. According to him, this is the first time that a coordination meeting involving all Regional Border Management Agencies (BPPDs) has been held nationally.

“Therefore, we believe it is necessary to align perceptions on the various issues and obstacles in implementing the mandate of Law No. 43 of 2008, particularly regarding the establishment and strengthening of BPPD institutions in the regions,” he said.