Home Minister Tito Strengthens BNPP Role to Accelerate Border Development

Home Minister Tito Karnavian, in his capacity as head of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), has emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening border area management as a strategic part of safeguarding national sovereignty and promoting equitable development. Tito explained that the BNPP, established in 2010, has two main mandates: resolving state boundary disputes and accelerating equitable development in border regions. “The first task is resolving state border disputes. We still have several issues with neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Timor Leste; some have been resolved and others are still under discussion,” Tito said after a working meeting and hearing with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II on Monday, 29 June 2026. The second task, he continued, is to develop border areas so that local communities experience the benefits of development whilst strengthening nationalism. He argued that a prosperous and advanced border region serves as a natural defence for the country. “If border communities are prosperous and well-off, their nationalism will be high and they will not be easily infiltrated by other parties,” he stated. Tito stressed the complexity of managing Indonesia’s borders as the world’s largest archipelagic nation. With land borders shared with three countries and maritime boundaries with ten nations, the situation demands extensive surveillance and complex cross-sectoral coordination. “Unlike large land-based countries, we are an archipelago. There is no land connectivity from Sabang to Merauke; this is a major challenge that must be managed together,” he said. The Home Minister also expressed high appreciation to the DPR’s Commission II for forming a special border working committee and conducting direct inspections at various strategic points since last October. He noted that the committee’s visits to Natuna, the Malaysian border, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste had produced findings that are now being discussed to determine the next steps. Tito highlighted several critical issues requiring joint attention, including the resolution of disputes in Sebatik, the addition of Cross-Border Posts (PLBN), and the construction and connection of road infrastructure in border areas, particularly in Papua and Kalimantan. “In Papua, the route from Skouw to Merauke is still fragmented. This needs to be cleared to support security patrols and the economic activities of the community,” he said. Tito believes that strengthening the role of the BNPP is crucial given its nature as a coordinating body across ministries and agencies. He welcomed the DPR’s push for the BNPP to have stronger, imperative authority so that the orchestration of border development programmes can proceed more quickly and effectively. “This is in line with the President’s directive to develop border areas in an integrated manner. I fully support the steps taken by our colleagues in Commission II who have gone into the field and are serious about solving these problems, including the plan to form a Special Committee,” he stated. Regarding the plan to establish a cross-commission Special Committee, Tito expressed his full support. He believes the committee will enable collaborative handling of border issues by all relevant ministries and agencies. “If the Special Committee is formed, issues such as roads, logistics, education, and markets in border areas can be tackled together,” he said. Tito also highlighted the limited number of Cross-Border Posts, which currently stands at only 15 points, while the need is much greater, especially in Kalimantan and along the nearly 800-kilometre border with Papua New Guinea. He stressed that the construction of PLBNs and supporting infrastructure in these areas will have a direct impact on security, logistics, and local economic growth. Tito emphasised that border management is not merely a territorial issue, but represents the state’s presence on the front line. Through synergy between the BNPP, the DPR, ministries, agencies, and local governments, he is optimistic that border areas can grow into a safe, advanced, and prosperous front porch for Indonesia.