Maluku Provincial Government Accelerates Wonreli Cross-Border Post Construction to Assert Sovereignty
Ambon (ANTARA) - The Maluku Provincial Government is accelerating the construction of a National Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Wonreli, Southwest Maluku (MBD), in an effort to affirm national sovereignty whilst promoting economic growth and improving the welfare of communities along the Indonesia–Timor-Leste border.
Deputy Governor of Maluku Abdullah Vanath, speaking in Ambon on Monday, said the construction of the Wonreli PLBN is an implementation of national policy to strengthen the state’s presence in frontier regions and improve cross-border services.
“Building the PLBN in Wonreli is not merely about constructing physical facilities; it is a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in the frontier region,” said Vanath, who chaired a meeting on accelerating the Wonreli PLBN construction alongside regional governments and relevant agencies.
He explained that the PLBN is a symbol of the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which will strengthen territorial oversight, improve the quality of public services, facilitate cross-border trade, and open up investment opportunities and new economic growth for the people of Kisar Island and Southwest Maluku Regency.
According to him, Wonreli has been designated as the service centre and gateway of the border area under Presidential Regulation Number 33 of 2015 concerning the Spatial Plan for National Border Areas in Maluku Province.
In addition, a survey by the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) identified Wonreli as the location with the highest score for constructing a Type D PLBN compared with several other locations on Lirang Island and Wetar Island.
Therefore, the Maluku Provincial Government is pushing for the Wonreli PLBN to be included in the Presidential Instruction on Phase III PLBN Development so that it can receive central government support.
“The construction of the Wonreli PLBN must become a shared priority agenda. All stakeholders must immediately coordinate intensively so that the project can be accommodated within the Presidential Instruction on Phase III PLBN Development,” he said.
He noted that one of the main prerequisites for the project to be realised soon is the settlement of land status, which must have legal certainty, be free of disputes, and be ready to be transferred to the central government.
Beyond the land aspect, Vanath called for accelerated coordination with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure the readiness of supporting infrastructure, such as road access, ports, electricity networks, telecommunications, clean water, and Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) facilities.
According to him, this infrastructure is an important factor for the PLBN to function optimally as a national gateway as well as a service and economic activity centre in the border region.
The Maluku Provincial Government has also assigned tasks to the Southwest Maluku Regency Government and the Regional Border Management Agency (BPPD) of Maluku Province to accelerate the completion of administrative documents, land legality, preparation of construction proposals, and official support to the BNPP and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
“Our time is limited. The momentum of proposing this to the central government must be guarded together. Set aside sectoral egos, because the presence of the Wonreli PLBN represents the nation’s pride and the dignity of the Maluku people’s welfare at the national border,” said Vanath.