BNPP Maps Out Four Strategic Border Issues in 2026 Action Plan

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of Indonesia is strengthening cross-sector synergy in state boundary management and border area development through a coordination forum for the 2026 Action Plan for the Management of State Boundaries and Border Areas (PBWN-KP) held at Hotel Travello. The forum serves as a strategic step to align programme and policy implementation across ministries, agencies, and regional governments to accelerate integrated and sustainable border area development. The event was opened by BNPP Secretary Makhruzi Rahman and attended by Deputy for State Boundary Management Nurdin, along with bureau heads and assistant deputies within the BNPP Permanent Secretariat. In his opening remarks, he stated that border management for the 2025-2029 period faces four strategic issues requiring joint attention. These issues include equitable development of border areas, resolution of state boundaries with neighbouring countries, strengthening cross-border management, and enhancing institutional effectiveness and coordination among stakeholders. He noted that development challenges in border areas are still dominated by limited connectivity infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications access, and the provision of basic services in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions. On the aspect of state boundaries, Indonesia is still addressing the resolution of several boundary segments with Malaysia and Timor-Leste, including handling the social impact following the resolution of Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) in Simantipal, Sebatik Island. Additionally, monitoring unofficial routes prone to exploitation for various transnational crimes remains a concern, alongside the acceleration of constructing cross-border posts (PLBN) that are still carry-over projects and proposals for new PLBN construction. On the institutional side, strengthening coordination between central and regional governments and improving border management regulations remain collective tasks. ‘The complexity of challenges in border areas cannot be resolved by a single agency. It requires collaboration, commitment, and integrated planning and implementation among ministries, agencies, and regional governments,’ he said in a written statement on Monday. He explained that the implementation of the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan has a legal basis through BNPP Head Regulation Number 2 of 2026. This regulation serves as a joint guideline for implementing border area development while strengthening the functions of coordination, synchronisation, and policy control in managing state boundaries and border areas. 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 approximately 77.46 per cent compared to the 2025 allocation of Rp6.4 trillion. He noted that the three ministries with the largest budget allocations in the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan are the Ministry of Social Affairs with Rp4.29 trillion for social protection programmes, the Ministry of Public Works with Rp3.93 trillion for strategic infrastructure development in border areas, and the Ministry of Agriculture with 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, division of roles, and respective responsibilities in implementing the 2026 PBWN-KP Action Plan. ‘With strong communication and shared commitment, every programme can be implemented effectively, measurably, accountably, and truly provide benefits for communities in border areas,’ he concluded. Through this strengthened cross-sector coordination, BNPP continues to encourage the realisation of state boundary management and border area development that is increasingly integrated, adaptive, and oriented towards improving community welfare while reinforcing state sovereignty in border regions.