Kumham Imipas: "Port to Port" Concept a Solution to Optimise Sebatik Border Crossing Post

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Coordinating Human Rights, Law, Immigration, and Prisons states that implementing the “port to port” concept is a practical solution for sea crossings to optimise the Sebatik Border Crossing Post (PLBN) in Nunukan, North Kalimantan. “The ‘port to port’ concept allows passengers boarding a vessel to directly enter the international zone,” said Assistant Deputy for Coordinating Immigration Governance at the Ministry of Coordinating Human Rights, Law, Immigration, and Prisons (Kemenko Kumham Imipas), Achmad Bramantyo Machmud, as quoted from a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Monday. Previously, during a coordination meeting at PLBN Sebatik on Wednesday (22/4), Achmad Bramantyo Machmud stated that sea crossings fundamentally share the same characteristics as air crossings. “Port to port” is a shipping service in which the expedition service is only responsible for moving goods from the origin port/airport to the destination port/airport. With the “port to port” doctrine in line with international practices, Achmad stated that PLBN Sebatik can be optimised as an official crossing point following the agreement on changes to the land boundary points by both countries, even though discussions on maritime delimitation with Malaysia are still ongoing. Nevertheless, he noted that implementing the proposed “port to port” concept requires collaboration among various parties supported by clear operational standards, such as separating domestic and international passengers and the availability of border security posts. “Existing PLBN facilities can also be utilised as tourist attractions accompanied by maximum security,” he said. In addition, he continued, bilateral coordination is very important. The ratification of the 2023 Indonesia-Malaysia Border Crossing Agreement (BCA) can serve as a key to making PLBN Sebatik an official entry or exit point. He also mentioned that discussions on the Indonesia-Philippines BCA can be used as momentum to strengthen the position of PLBN Sebatik in international port services. The high mobility in the Sebatik area was confirmed by all attending sub-district heads. Central Sebatik Sub-district Head Aris Nur even proposed building a land border crossing post at Sungai Limau as an official crossing. With the implementation of the “port to port” concept and support from cross-sectoral collaboration, the optimisation of PLBN Sebatik is hoped to facilitate community mobility and increase economic growth in the area. The maturation of strategic steps by the government to activate PLBN in the North Kalimantan region so that it does not merely become a physical symbol, but rather a maximally operating crossing centre, was the main topic of discussion in the coordination meeting. The Assistant Deputy for Coordinating Immigration Governance at Kemenko Kumham Imipas directly led the meeting, which involved the Secretary of Nunukan Regency, the Head of PLBN Sebatik, local government officials, sub-district heads in the Sebatik area, and immigration representatives from Nunukan and Tarakan. The activity focused on optimising the Sebatik-Tawau crossing, which is highly anticipated by the community. This condition is important because currently, people who want to cross must go through Nunukan with longer distances and higher costs. However, with direct crossing, Sebatik-Tawau can be reached in just 15 minutes.