TNI mulls boosting border security

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