Hundreds of Returnees and Tourists Flock to Motaain Border Crossing

Activity at the Motaain State Border Crossing Post (PLBN) in East Nusa Tenggara experienced a significant surge on H-2 of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. The increase in mobility at this Indonesia-Timor Leste land border gate was triggered by the Lebaran 2026 holiday, which residents used for cross-country travel.

The Head of PLBN Motaain, Maria Fatima Rika, revealed that the busy atmosphere at the border route had been monitored since Friday morning (20/3). Based on the latest data, the number of arrivals was recorded as higher than departures.

“At the arrival gate from Timor Leste to Indonesia, there were 612 people recorded, consisting of 225 Indonesian citizens (WNI) and 387 foreigners,” Rika stated in her official remarks on Friday (20/3).

Meanwhile, at the departure gate leaving Indonesian territory, there were 574 border crossers recorded, dominated by 305 Indonesian citizens (WNI) and 269 foreigners. In addition to human crossings, private vehicle mobility also showed an upward trend.

Rika detailed that there were 27 vehicles exiting Indonesia, while 51 other vehicles entered from the opposite direction. Not only serving as a route for returning home, the PLBN Motaain area also attracted local and international tourists. A total of 263 tourists visited the border icon in Belu Regency during this Lebaran holiday period.

To ensure the smooth flow of returnees and cross-border returns, Rika assured that the operating hours of PLBN Motaain would continue normally, every day from 08:00 to 17:00 WITA. Her side has also prepared joint personnel to anticipate potential larger surges in crossings.

“All immigration, customs, and quarantine services continue to be on standby until the end of the Lebaran 2026 holiday period. This readiness is to ensure that services run safely, orderly, and smoothly,” Rika emphasised.