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

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of Indonesia is continuing to accelerate preparations for the construction of the Seimanggaris National Border Crossing Post (PLBN) in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan.

The construction of the PLBN is projected not only to become an official Indonesia–Malaysia crossing point, but also to strengthen the State Gateway whilst opening up North Kalimantan’s economic corridor, connecting it with the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

This commitment was marked by a review of two alternative construction sites for the Seimanggaris PLBN by Nurdin, Deputy for State Border Management at BNPP, accompanied by Siti Metrianda Akuan, Assistant Deputy for National Border Crossing Management, on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

The field review was carried out to ensure the sites’ readiness across various aspects, from land conditions and accessibility to cross-border connectivity and compatibility with regional 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 entry and exit points in Malaysian territory.

“We have reviewed two alternative sites 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 two countries’ gateways can be connected within a single integrated crossing system,” said Nurdin.

He stressed that the joint determination of the crossing point between Indonesia and Malaysia is one of the main requirements for fulfilling the readiness criteria for the PLBN’s construction.

For this reason, 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 also encouraging the discussion of the Seimanggaris PLBN’s construction to become a priority agenda item at the Malaysia–Indonesia Social and Economic Meeting (Sosek Malindo) forum.

According to Nurdin, the forum can serve as a strategic vehicle to accelerate mutual understanding between the two countries regarding the location of the crossing point.

“We encourage the regional government to bring the discussion of the Seimanggaris PLBN into the Sosek Malindo agenda. The faster an agreement is reached on the crossing point, the faster the readiness criteria can be finalised and the construction stages can proceed,” he said.

Furthermore, Nurdin emphasised that the construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN is not solely oriented towards border crossing infrastructure.

Under the Indonesian State Gateway System (SGNI) concept, the PLBN is positioned as the governance hub of the State Gateway, integrating customs, immigration, quarantine and security services, connectivity, as well as regional 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 area and the National Strategic Activity Centre (PKSN) as the economic growth hub of border regions.

“That is why we are not merely building a PLBN building. We are building a State Gateway together with its surrounding area and economic network. The PLBN becomes the service and supervision hub, the PPPGN becomes its gateway development area, whilst the PKSN connects it to broader regional growth and service centres,” he explained.

According to Nurdin, this approach ensures that the PLBN’s construction forms part of an integrated regional development strategy.

For the Seimanggaris area, the State Gateway is expected to be connected with production centres, oil palm plantation areas, crude palm oil processing industries, seaweed cultivation, Sei Ular Port, North Kalimantan’s logistics networks, and other PKSNs and growth centres.

He added that the construction of the Seimanggaris PLBN must form part of an economic corridor capable of improving the efficiency of goods distribution 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 estates and logistics networks. That way, the PLBN’s construction can genuinely create distribution efficiency whilst opening up wider markets for the region’s flagship products,” said Nurdin.

From a broader perspective, Nurdin considers the Seimanggaris PLBN to hold a strategic position in strengthening North Kalimantan’s economic connectivity with Sabah and the BIMP-EAGA subregional cooperation area.

The presence of the PLBN is expected to open up wider trade access whilst strengthening Indonesia’s position within the region’s 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 to Brunei Darussalam and 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 a joint crossing point with Malaysia, land readiness, regional planning, and the strengthening of connectivity and supporting infrastructure so that the Seimanggaris PLBN’s construction can proceed in an integrated manner with border area development.

“The State Gateway must be 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.”

Through these acceleration measures, BNPP affirms its commitment to delivering the Seimanggaris PLBN as a modern State Gateway that not only strengthens Indonesia’s sovereignty in the border region, but also serves as an engine for economic growth, connectivity and the welfare of communities in the border areas of North Kalimantan.