BNPPDT to Continue Development in Border and Remote Areas
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Military Deputy Commander and head of the National Agency for Border and Remote Area Management (BNPPDT), General Maruli Simanjuntak, said he was ready to lead the agency’s work to develop border regions and improve the welfare of their communities.
“Hopefully, with the guidance of the Home Affairs Minister, we can make a contribution, particularly in carrying out the duties of the BNPP, which has been expanded into the BNPPDT, including improving people’s welfare,” Maruli said at the BNPPDT’s permanent secretariat office in Jakarta on Monday.
Maruli also said he was ready to continue ongoing programmes and develop the BNPPDT’s work in line with the new mandate given by President Prabowo Subianto.
He made the remarks after Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian formally handed over the position of BNPPDT chief to him at the agency’s permanent secretariat office in Jakarta.
Maruli said ongoing programmes would continue, while plans drawn up for this year and scheduled for implementation next year would form part of efforts to improve the agency’s performance.
“Many things planned this year will be implemented next year to strengthen the BNPP. With the addition of the BNPPDT mandate, hopefully we can expand our work further in the future,” he said.
The leadership transition marks an opportunity to continue development in border and remote areas in a more focused manner. Through continuity in programmes and cross-sector coordination, the BNPPDT is expected to broaden the reach of development and improve the welfare of communities in Indonesia’s outermost regions.
At the handover, Tito outlined several strategic responsibilities to be carried forward, from developing border regions to improving remote areas.
Tito explained that the BNPP was established as a separate agency in 2010 to coordinate ministries and government bodies in managing and developing border regions. The move was intended to ensure integrated development that responds to local communities’ needs.
“Over the years, its main task has been to develop border areas. Our hope is that developing these areas will promote welfare and fairness, and, secondly, create new economic centres,” Tito said.
As well as regional development, the BNPP is responsible for managing State Border Posts (PLBN) and addressing border-related issues. Tito said managing the posts was part of efforts to strengthen cross-border services, while development in border areas was intended to boost local economic activity.
Tito also highlighted unresolved issues along several sections of Indonesia’s borders with Malaysia and Timor-Leste. Resolving them is important to establish certainty over the country’s boundaries and support border management.
Beyond border regions, the development of remote areas is also a priority for the BNPPDT. Tito stressed that such work requires coordination among ministries and government bodies.
Improving people’s welfare is not only a matter of ensuring more equal development, he said, but also helps strengthen nationalism and regional resilience against potential infiltration by outside parties.
Tito said Maruli’s experience serving in the Indonesian Military would be an asset in his new role. He also emphasised the importance of continuing programmes and coordinating across institutions so that development in border and remote areas meets local needs.
“There is much work that needs to continue. We are handing over all the BNPP’s duties and responsibilities to General Maruli. I welcome him and wish him well in his new role,” Tito said.