BNPP RI Accelerates Development of Seimanggaris Cross-Border Post to Boost BIMP-EAGA Connectivity

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP RI) is 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 an economic corridor in North Kalimantan connected to the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). This commitment was marked by an inspection of two alternative locations for the Seimanggaris PLBN by BNPP RI’s Deputy for State Border Management, Nurdin, accompanied by Assistant Deputy for State Cross-Border Management, Siti Metrianda Akuan, on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The field inspection was conducted to ensure site readiness from various aspects, including land conditions, accessibility, cross-border connectivity, and alignment with regional development plans. Nurdin explained that BNPP RI is currently assessing the most technically and strategically feasible location so that the Seimanggaris PLBN construction can be integrated with entry and exit points in Malaysia. “We have inspected two alternative locations for the Seimanggaris PLBN. Next, we need to determine the most technically and strategically appropriate point, including its compatibility with the entry-exit point on the Malaysian side, so that the gates of both countries can be connected in a single integrated crossing system,” Nurdin stated. He emphasised that the determination of a joint crossing point between Indonesia and Malaysia is one of the main requirements for fulfilling the readiness criteria for PLBN construction. Therefore, BNPP RI 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. Additionally, BNPP RI is encouraging that discussions on the construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN become a priority agenda in the Malaysia–Indonesia Socio-Economic (Sosek Malindo) meeting forum. According to Nurdin, this forum can serve as a strategic platform to accelerate a mutual understanding between the two countries regarding the location of the crossing point. “We encourage the local government to bring the discussion of the Seimanggaris PLBN into the Sosek Malindo agenda. The sooner there is an understanding regarding the crossing point, the sooner the readiness criteria can be completed and the construction phases can proceed,” he said. Furthermore, Nurdin asserted that the construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN is not solely oriented towards building state crossing infrastructure. Under the Indonesian State Gateway System (SGNI) concept, the PLBN is positioned as a governance node for the State Gateway that integrates customs, immigration, quarantine, security, connectivity services, as well as border area and economic development. He explained that this development is supported by spatial planning of the border area through the existence of the State Gateway Service Centre (PPPGN) as a State Gateway service area and the National Strategic Activity Centre (PKSN) as an economic growth centre for the border region. “Therefore, we are not just building a PLBN building. We are building a State Gateway along with its economic area and network. The PLBN becomes a service and supervision node, the PPPGN becomes its gateway development area, while the PKSN connects it to broader growth and service centres,” he clarified. According to Nurdin, this approach ensures that PLBN construction becomes part of an integrated regional development strategy. For the Seimanggaris area, the State Gateway is expected to be connected to production centres, oil palm plantation areas, 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 construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN must become part of an economic corridor capable of improving goods distribution efficiency 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. That way, PLBN construction can truly create distribution efficiency while opening wider markets for the region’s leading products,” Nurdin said. 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 sub-regional cooperation area. The presence of the PLBN is expected to open wider trade access while strengthening Indonesia’s position in the regional economic network. “All this time, we seem to have stopped thinking at Tawau. In fact, from North Kalimantan, there are opportunities to connect with a much wider economic network, from Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, to the Philippines through BIMP-EAGA. This is the kind of regional perspective we must start building,” he stressed. Going forward, BNPP RI will continue to oversee the acceleration of fulfilling readiness criteria, determining the joint crossing point with Malaysia, land readiness, regional planning, and strengthening connectivity and supporting infrastructure so that the construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN can proceed in an integrated manner with border area development. “The State Gateway must be a meeting point of sovereignty and prosperity. The state is present to guard borders and regulate crossings, but at the same time, the State Gateway must open opportunities for the growth of trade, investment, and economic activities that provide maximum benefits for border communities.” Through these acceleration measures, BNPP RI reaffirms its commitment to delivering the Seimanggaris PLBN as a modern, integrated gateway that strengthens border governance and drives local economic growth.