BNPP RI Updates Border Area Management Index for Long Nawang

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of the Republic of Indonesia, through its Assistant Deputy for Land Border Area Potential, carried out the Measurement and Updating of the Border Area Management Index at the Long Nawang Border Area Growth Centre (PPKP) in Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan, from 29 June to 1 July 2026. The activity is part of BNPP’s efforts to strengthen development planning for border areas based on real field conditions while identifying challenges as a basis for formulating cross-ministerial and institutional recommendations. Representing the Deputy for Border Area Potential Management, Assistant Deputy for Land Border Area Potential Brigadier General TNI Topri Daeng Balaw stated that the measurement and updating of the index not only aims to map various issues in the border area but also to strengthen synergy among stakeholders. He noted that the activity is intended to identify challenges and encourage synergy so that the management of border area potential can be optimised sustainably according to actual field conditions.

Perencana Ahli Muda at the Assistant Deputy for Land Border Area Potential, Dedy Yulianto, explained that the Long Nawang PPKP, covering Kayan Hulu and Kayan Selatan sub-districts, has two main cross-border indicators of concern: Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) aspects, as well as defence and security. Based on the measurement results, the area already has a Long Nawang Cross-Border Post (PLBN) along with several supporting facilities. However, integrated CIQ services cannot yet operate optimally as they are still awaiting the readiness of the cross-border post and supporting infrastructure from the Malaysian side. In the defence and security aspect, the presence of the police sector, military rayon command, and border security posts is considered adequate. Nevertheless, BNPP noted several obstacles, including the poor condition of some security posts, such as the Long Betaoh Post which is separated from the surveillance area by a river, and a shortage of four-wheeled operational vehicles to support security patrols.

In the transportation sector, limited road infrastructure remains a major challenge for community mobility and goods distribution. Most connecting roads between areas are still dirt tracks, forcing residents to rely on four-wheel-drive vehicles with relatively high operational costs. Meanwhile, air transport via the Malinau–Long Apung, Tarakan–Long Apung, and Samarinda–Long Apung routes still has limited carrying capacity and is highly dependent on weather conditions. From an economic perspective, the absence of public markets in Kayan Hulu and Kayan Selatan sub-districts means communities depend on village shops and their own plantation produce to meet daily needs. Yet the area has potential for superior commodities such as upland rice, pineapples, cocoa, honey, and timber, which could be developed through processing industries. Beyond the economic sector, BNPP also assessed that the natural and cultural tourism potential in Long Nawang is quite promising but remains hampered by a lack of supporting infrastructure and facilities. In the basic services sector, government facilities are available but lack a public meeting hall. Meanwhile, the education and health sectors continue to face limitations in facilities, infrastructure, teaching staff, and health workers. The Type D Hospital in Kayan Selatan is also not yet operating optimally due to a shortage of human resources and medicine supplies, forcing residents to be referred to Samarinda or Tarakan by air transport for advanced medical care.

As a follow-up, BNPP recommends accelerating the construction and improvement of road infrastructure, including the Mahakam Ulu–Long Nawang route, as well as providing more evenly distributed bridges, telecommunications networks, and electricity. Strengthening collaboration with the private sector and developing downstream industries for superior commodities through technology support, financing, and partnerships are also deemed important to accelerate regional development. BNPP considers the Long Nawang PPKP to hold a strategic position as a prospective economic growth centre in the North Kalimantan border area. With infrastructure support, improved human resource quality, and sustainable cross-sector synergy, the area is expected to develop more progressively and enhance the welfare of border communities.