BNPP Commits to Accelerating Seimanggaris PLBN to Open BIMP-EAGA Economic Corridor
The construction of the PLBN is projected not only to serve as an official Indonesia–Malaysia crossing point, but also to strengthen the State Gateway and open up North Kalimantan’s economic corridor linked to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Indonesia’s National Border Management Agency (BNPP) has pledged to continue accelerating preparations for the construction of the Seimanggaris National Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara).
The pledge was marked by an inspection of two alternative sites for the Seimanggaris PLBN by Nurdin, Deputy for State Border Management at BNPP, accompanied by Siti Metrianda Akuan, Assistant Deputy for Cross-Border Management, on Tuesday (21 July).
“We have reviewed two alternative locations for the Seimanggaris PLBN. Next, we need to determine the most technically and strategically appropriate point, including its alignment with the entry-exit point on the Malaysian side, so that the two countries’ gateways can be connected within a single integrated crossing system,” Nurdin said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The field inspection was carried out to ensure the site’s readiness across various aspects, from land conditions, accessibility and cross-border connectivity, to alignment with area development plans.
Nurdin explained that BNPP is currently assessing the most technically and strategically viable location so that the Seimanggaris PLBN can be integrated with the entry-exit point in Malaysian territory.
He affirmed that determining the crossing point jointly with Malaysia is one of the main requirements for meeting the readiness criteria for the PLBN’s construction.
Therefore, BNPP will continue to strengthen coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, the North Kalimantan Provincial Government, the Nunukan Regency Government, and build bilateral communication with the Malaysian Government to accelerate the entire preparation process.
In addition, BNPP is pushing for the Seimanggaris PLBN to become a priority agenda item in the Malaysia-Indonesia Social and Economic Meeting (Sosek Malindo) forum.
According to Nurdin, the forum could serve as a strategic vehicle to speed up mutual agreement between the two countries on the crossing point location.
“We encourage the regional government to bring the Seimanggaris PLBN discussion onto the Sosek Malindo agenda. The sooner an agreement is reached on the crossing point, the sooner the readiness criteria can be finalised and construction stages can proceed,” he said.
Furthermore, Nurdin emphasised that the Seimanggaris PLBN development is not merely oriented towards building border-crossing infrastructure.
Under the Indonesian State Gateway System (SGNI) concept, the PLBN is positioned as a governance hub for the State Gateway, integrating customs, immigration, quarantine and security services, as well as connectivity, area development and border economy development.
He explained that this development is supported by spatial planning of border areas through the presence of the National Gateway Service Centre (PPPGN) as the State Gateway service zone and the National Strategic Activity Centre (PKSN) as the economic growth centre of border regions.
“That is why we are not just building a PLBN building. We are building a State Gateway together with its surrounding area and economic networks. The PLBN becomes the service and supervision hub, the PPPGN becomes its gateway development zone, while the PKSN connects it to wider regional growth and service centres,” he explained.
According to Nurdin, this approach ensures that PLBN development forms 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, crude palm oil (CPO) processing industries, seaweed cultivation, Sei Ular Port, North Kalimantan’s logistics networks, and the PKSN and other growth centres.
He added that the Seimanggaris PLBN must become part of an economic corridor capable of improving goods distribution efficiency and expanding market access for the region’s flagship products.
“We must start thinking within an economic corridor framework. The State Gateway must be connected to production centres, PKSNs, ports, industrial zones and logistics networks. That way, PLBN development can genuinely create distribution efficiencies while opening up broader markets for local flagship products,” Nurdin said.
From a broader perspective, Nurdin views the Seimanggaris PLBN as holding a strategic position to strengthen North Kalimantan’s economic connectivity with Sabah and the BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation area.
The PLBN’s presence is expected to open up wider trade access while reinforcing Indonesia’s position within the regional economic network.
“Until now, we have seemingly stopped thinking at Tawau. In fact, from North Kalimantan there are opportunities to connect with a far wider economic network, from Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, all the way to the Philippines through BIMP-EAGA. This is the kind of regional perspective we must begin to build,” he asserted.
Going forward, BNPP will continue to oversee the accelerated fulfilment of readiness criteria, the determination of the crossing point with Malaysia, land readiness, area planning, and the strengthening of supporting connectivity and infrastructure so that the Seimanggaris PLBN construction can proceed in an integrated manner with border area development.
“The State Gateway must be a place where sovereignty and prosperity meet. The state is present to guard the border and regulate crossings, but at the same time the State Gateway must open up opportunities for trade, investment and economic activities that deliver the greatest benefit to border communities,” Nurdin said.
Through these acceleration measures, BNPP reaffirms its commitment to delivering the Seimanggaris PLBN as a modern State Gateway that not only strengthens Indonesian sovereignty in border areas, but also serves as an engine for economic growth, connectivity and the welfare of communities in North Kalimantan’s border region.