BNPP Commits to Accelerating Seimanggaris PLBN to Open BIMP-EAGA Economic Corridor

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of Indonesia is committed to accelerating preparations for the construction of the Seimanggaris Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. The development of the PLBN is projected not only to serve as an official crossing point between Indonesia and Malaysia but also to strengthen the State Gateway while opening up North Kalimantan’s economic corridor, connecting it to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). This commitment was underscored by a field review of two alternative locations for the Seimanggaris PLBN conducted by BNPP Deputy for State Border Management Nurdin, accompanied by Assistant Deputy for State Border Crossing Management Siti Metrianda Akuan, on Tuesday (21/7). “We have reviewed two alternative locations for the Seimanggaris PLBN. The next step is to determine the most technically and strategically appropriate point, including its alignment with the entry-exit point on the Malaysian side, so that the gateways of both countries can be connected within an integrated crossing system,” Nurdin stated in Jakarta on Wednesday. The field review was carried out to ensure site readiness from various aspects, including land conditions, accessibility, cross-border connectivity, and alignment with regional development plans. Nurdin explained that the BNPP is currently assessing the most feasible location to ensure the Seimanggaris PLBN can be integrated with the entry-exit point in Malaysia. He emphasised that the joint determination of the crossing point by Indonesia and Malaysia is one of the main prerequisites for fulfilling the readiness criteria for PLBN construction. Therefore, the BNPP will continue to strengthen coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, the North Kalimantan Provincial Government, and the Nunukan Regency Government, while building bilateral communication with the Malaysian Government to expedite the entire preparatory process. Furthermore, the BNPP is pushing for the Seimanggaris PLBN development to become a priority agenda in the Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic (Sosek Malindo) meeting forum. Nurdin believes this forum can serve as a strategic platform to accelerate a mutual understanding between the two countries regarding the crossing point location. “We encourage local governments to bring the discussion of the Seimanggaris PLBN into the Sosek Malindo agenda. The sooner an agreement on the crossing point is reached, the sooner the readiness criteria can be fulfilled and the construction phase can proceed,” he said. Nurdin further stressed that the development of the Seimanggaris PLBN is not solely focused on building crossing infrastructure. Under the State Gateway System (SGNI) concept, the PLBN is positioned as a node for state gateway management that integrates customs, immigration, quarantine, and security services, as well as connectivity and border area economic development. He explained that this development is supported by spatial planning for border areas through the establishment of a State Gateway Service Centre (PPPGN) as the gateway development zone and a National Strategic Activity Centre (PKSN) as the economic growth centre for the border region. “We are not just building a PLBN structure. We are building a State Gateway along with its surrounding area and economic network. The PLBN becomes the service and supervision node, the PPPGN becomes the gateway development zone, and the PKSN connects it to broader growth and service centres,” he clarified. According to Nurdin, this approach ensures that PLBN development is part of an integrated regional development strategy. For the Seimanggaris area, the State Gateway is expected to be connected to production centres, oil palm plantations, CPO processing industries, seaweed cultivation, Sei Ular Port, North Kalimantan’s logistics network, as well as the PKSN and other growth centres. He added that the Seimanggaris PLBN development must become part of an economic corridor capable of improving the efficiency of goods distribution and expanding market access for the region’s leading products. “We must start thinking within the framework of an economic corridor. The State Gateway must be connected to production centres, the PKSN, ports, industrial estates, and logistics networks. In this way, the PLBN development can truly create distribution efficiency while opening wider markets for the region’s superior products,” Nurdin stated. From a broader perspective, Nurdin assessed that the Seimanggaris PLBN holds a strategic position to strengthen North Kalimantan’s economic connectivity with Sabah and the BIMP-EAGA subregional cooperation area. The presence of the PLBN is expected to open wider trade access while strengthening Indonesia’s position in the regional economic network. “We often seem to stop thinking at Tawau. In fact, from North Kalimantan, there is an opportunity to connect with a much wider economic network, from Sabah and Sarawak, to Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines through BIMP-EAGA. This is the regional perspective we must start building,” he asserted. Going forward, the BNPP will continue to oversee the acceleration of readiness criteria fulfilment, the joint determination of the crossing point with Malaysia, land readiness, regional planning, and the strengthening of connectivity and supporting infrastructure. The goal is to ensure the Seimanggaris PLBN development proceeds in an integrated manner with the development of the border area. “The State Gateway must be a meeting point for sovereignty and prosperity. The state is present to guard the border and regulate crossings, but at the same time, the State Gateway must open opportunities for economic growth in the border communities,” Nurdin concluded.