BNPP Maps Out Four Strategic Border Issues in 2026 Action Plan

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of Indonesia has strengthened cross-sectoral synergy in managing state boundaries and developing border areas through the Coordination Forum for the Implementation of the 2026 Action Plan for State Boundary Management and Border Areas (PBWN-KP), held at the Travello Hotel.

The forum is a strategic step to align the implementation of programmes and policies across ministries, agencies and regional governments in order to accelerate integrated and sustainable development in border areas.

The event was opened by the Secretary of BNPP RI, Makhruzi Rahman, and attended by Nurdin, Deputy for State Boundary Management at BNPP RI, along with bureau heads and deputy assistants within the Permanent Secretariat of BNPP RI.

In his remarks, he said border management for the 2025-2029 period still faces four strategic issues requiring joint attention. These four issues comprise equitable development of border areas, the settlement of state boundaries with neighbouring countries, strengthened cross-border management, and improved institutional effectiveness and coordination among stakeholders.

According to him, development challenges in border areas remain dominated by limited connectivity infrastructure, transport, telecommunications access, and the provision of basic services in disadvantaged, frontier and outermost regions.

Meanwhile, on the state boundary aspect, Indonesia still faces the resolution of a number of boundary segments with Malaysia and Timor-Leste, including handling the social impacts following the settlement of Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) in Simantipal on Sebatik Island.

In addition, the surveillance of unofficial routes potentially exploited for various forms of cross-border crime is also a concern, alongside the acceleration of the construction of State Border Crossing Posts (PLBN) that remain in carry-over status as well as proposals for new PLBN construction.

On the institutional front, strengthening coordination between central and regional governments and refining border management regulations remain shared tasks.

“The complexity of challenges in border regions cannot be resolved by a single agency alone. It requires collaboration, commitment, and integrated programme planning and implementation between ministries, agencies and regional governments,” he said in a written statement on Monday (3/8/2026).

He explained that the implementation of the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan has a legal foundation through BNPP Head Regulation Number 2 of 2026. The regulation serves as a joint guideline for border area development while strengthening the coordination, synchronisation and control functions of state boundary and border area management policy.

In 2026, there are 552 programmes and activities to be implemented by 29 ministries and agencies across 18 border provinces, with a total budget allocation reaching Rp11.3 trillion. This figure represents an increase of around 77.46 per cent compared with the 2025 allocation of Rp6.4 trillion.

He said the three ministries with the largest budget allocations in the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan are the Ministry of Social Affairs at Rp4.29 trillion for social protection programmes, the Ministry of Public Works at Rp3.93 trillion for strategic infrastructure development in border areas, and the Ministry of Agriculture at Rp949.29 billion to support agricultural sector development and food security in border regions.

He expressed hope that the coordination forum would build a shared understanding among all ministries, agencies and regional governments regarding policy direction, the division of roles, and their respective responsibilities in implementing the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan.

“With strong communication and shared commitment, every programme can be implemented effectively, measurably and accountably, and truly bring benefits to communities in border areas,” he concluded.

Through this strengthened cross-sectoral coordination, BNPP RI continues to push for state boundary management and border area development that is increasingly integrated, adaptive, and oriented towards improving community welfare while reinforcing national sovereignty in border regions.