Legislator: Immigration Oversight at Borders Requires Serious Attention

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chair of DPR RI’s Commission XIII, Dewi Asmara, stated that immigration oversight in Indonesia’s border areas, especially at state border crossing posts, requires serious attention.

According to Dewi, the length of the border line poses a primary challenge, compounded by the limited number of oversight posts.

“Out of the total 14 border crossing posts that exist, all of them need serious attention, not just in West Kalimantan, but across all of Indonesia’s border regions,” she said, as per a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

In addition to the limitations of the posts, Dewi noted that geographical factors and the distant travel distances to border areas also hinder oversight operations. Difficult transportation access is assessed to directly impact the effectiveness of field officers.

She also spotlighted various potential vulnerabilities in border areas, ranging from non-procedural migrant workers, criminal acts of human trafficking (TPPO), to the circulation of narcotics.

“There are many unofficial routes that could become threats if oversight is not carried out optimally,” said Dewi.

She emphasised the importance of enhancing the quality of human resources as well as providing facilities and infrastructure for officers in border areas. Special attention needs to be given to officers in the outermost, frontmost, and most underdeveloped regions.

Dewi further stressed the importance of synergy between the central and regional governments, including in fulfilling infrastructure such as internet networks that are still limited in several border areas.

This immigration and human rights affairs legislator hopes that the government can provide greater attention to border areas as a form of the state’s presence for the community.

“Do not let border communities feel sidelined. They are also an important part of the nation that must receive equal attention,” said Dewi.

Dewi Asmara and members of DPR RI’s Commission XIII conducted a specific working visit to the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Thursday (9/4).