Indonesia's BNPP Reviews Operational Readiness of International Goods Terminal at Motaain Border Crossing

The Secretary of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of Indonesia, Makhruzi Rahman, together with the Director General (Dirjen) of Land Transportation from the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Aan Suhanan, reviewed the operational readiness of the International Goods Terminal (TBI) at the State Border Crossing (PLBN) Motaain, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday (12/5/2026). He explained that the inspection was conducted to ensure that all infrastructure and export-import service flows are ready and integrated, thereby supporting the smooth flow of cross-border goods between Indonesia and Timor Leste. “We have agreed on several routes to ensure that export and import activities are not disrupted. Hopefully, in the future, the implementation of exports and imports in Motaain can run smoothly,” said Makhruzi in a press release received by Kompas.com on Wednesday (13/5/2026). On that occasion, he directly checked the readiness of the main TBI facilities, from goods warehouses, weighbridges, portable scales, to the arrangement of export and import vehicle flows. “There are several things that may need to be added, such as weighbridge indicators, CCTV, and the possibility of replacing portable scales with static scales,” he said. Regarding potential operational constraints, Makhruzi stated that a comprehensive evaluation can only be conducted after the TBI is fully operational. In the future, he said, the operational management of the TBI will be carried out by the Ministry of Transportation, while plans for its inauguration are still being discussed and refined with relevant parties. Meanwhile, the Director General of Land Transportation from the Ministry of Transportation, Aan Suhanan, affirmed that the readiness of the TBI at PLBN Motaain is generally adequate. “In accordance with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 6 of 2015, there are seven PLBNs equipped with TBI, and Motaain is one of them. From the facility side, both weighing and warehousing for exports and imports, everything is ready for operations,” he stated. Aan emphasised the importance of cross-agency coordination in managing the TBI. According to him, the existence of the TBI is inseparable from the roles of various stakeholders, such as BNPP RI, the Directorate General of Customs, the Directorate General of Immigration, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, and other related agencies. The inspection was also attended by BNPP RI Expert Group member Nur Kholis, Assistant Deputy for State Border Management at BNPP RI Siti Metrianda Akuan, and Head of PLBN Motaain Maria Fatima Rika. The inspection underscores BNPP RI’s commitment to strengthening state border governance through the optimisation of trade-supporting infrastructure. With the operation of the TBI at PLBN Motaain, the border area is expected not only to serve as the country’s front porch but also to act as a driver of economic growth and improved welfare for border communities.