At Unhan NTT Campus, BNPP Reveals Border Development Must Prosper Local Residents
The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of Indonesia has once again organised the BNPP MENYALA (Directly Greeting the People and Students) programme, packaged as an interactive public lecture at the Ben Mboi Polytechnic, National Defence University (Unhan), in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
As an agency led by the Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian as the ex officio Head of BNPP, this activity serves as a strategic effort by BNPP to strengthen young people’s understanding of border area management as an important part of Indonesia’s future.
BNPP Deputy for State Border Management, Nurdin, explained the complexities of managing the borders of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. He emphasised that Indonesia has sea borders with ten countries and land borders with three countries, thus requiring strong, integrated, and sustainable governance.
According to Nurdin, border development is not only understood as an effort to maintain sovereignty but also as an instrument to improve the welfare of border communities. “Without an advanced economy and high productivity, welfare will take a long time to achieve. Therefore, building borders means building the economy of its people,” he stated in a written release on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
On that occasion, Nurdin also encouraged students to utilise State Border Crossing Posts (PLBN) as field learning laboratories. He explained that the increasing movement of people and goods at integrated PLBNs is an indicator of economic progress and a golden opportunity that needs to be managed optimally, especially at PLBN Motaain and Motamasin, which are economic growth centres in NTT and the main suppliers of needs for Timor-Leste.
“Indonesia’s future is not just Jakarta. Indonesia’s future lies at the state border line. Like the BNPP motto, We Guard the Territory, We Prosper the People,” Nurdin asserted.
BNPP Expert Group member Hamidin presented material on geopolitics and the urgency of Indonesia’s borders amid global dynamics. He assessed that global geopolitical tensions directly impact global economic and political stability, so future border management must be oriented towards strengthening the economy and bilateral cooperation.
“Speaking of future borders is not enough just about defence and security. That is important, but the main focus is to enliven the economy with equal cooperation,” said Hamidin.
He emphasised the importance of technology-based border management, strengthening the role of Border Liaison Officers (BLO), and inter-agency synchronisation to make border management more effective and modern.
Hamidin is optimistic that with integrated management, Indonesia’s border areas in the next decade will become advanced areas no less than world border management models. “In the end, the ones who will feel the impact the most are the border communities who will become increasingly prosperous,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Arm Dr. Erlan Wijatmoko explained the strategic role and function of the RI–RDTL Border Guard Task Force Eastern Sector Yonarmed 12/Kostrad as the frontline guard in the border area. He affirmed that the border guard task force’s duties are not only focused on security but also on territorial activities to assist border communities as a manifestation of the state’s presence.
From the academic side, the Dean of the Military Logistics Vocational Faculty of Unhan, Marshal Muda TNI Dr. Penny Radjendra, hopes that this public lecture can enrich the strategic insights of students. He views the material presented as important provisions in shaping competencies and readiness to face future challenges, especially in logistics and border area management, while opening up broader cooperation opportunities between Unhan and BNPP.
Head of the Bureau of Finance, General Affairs, and Public Relations of BNPP, Belly Isnaeni, added that through BNPP MENYALA, students are expected not only to understand the role and function of BNPP but also to have concern and enthusiasm to contribute to maintaining the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
The BNPP MENYALA activity at the Ben Mboi Polytechnic, Unhan, becomes a strategic space for dialogue between BNPP, academics, and the younger generation in instilling awareness that border areas are Indonesia’s front porch. With knowledge, collaboration, and dedication, the younger generation is expected to become the driving force for sovereign, advanced, and prosperous border development.