TNI to build 12 more outposts

BANDUNG, West Java: The Army is planning to build 12 more outposts in areas bordering with Malaysia, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. The outpost establishment next year is aimed at strengthening security on the borders with the three countries in Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua provinces, said the Army's chief of staff, Gen. Djoko Santoso.

Currently, the Army has only 15 outposts, while the demand for such outposts in border areas has reached 40, said Djoko, adding that more outposts would be built in the future.

The border issue has been a sensitive one since Indonesia's perceived loss of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia at the International Court of Justice recently. -- JP