TNI mulls boosting border security

JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Tuesday that TNI leaders were considering stationing military battalions along borders with neighboring countries to improve security.

"The planned battalions would ensure security along the borders," Endriartono said.

He did not say when or where the battalions would be positioned.

Indonesia shares its land boundaries with East Timor in Timor, Malaysia in Kalimantan and Papua New Guinea in Papua.

East Timorese frequently make illegal crossings into West Timor, while rampant illegal logging and human trafficking occur along the borders with Malaysia, he said. Meanwhile, the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border has become a safe haven for the Free Papua Movement (OPM), he said.

Endriartono said the military battalions would be tasked with ensuring security along these borders.

Military personnel are assigned to guard the country's borders for a certain period of time.

Endriartono said limited funds could hamper plans to set up border battalions, but he did not elaborate further. --Antara