Chairman of the Steering Committee of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, made the remarks on the 11th anniversary of the agency on Friday.
"I remind again that the management of border areas is a national priority. The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has emphasized that the state must be present at the border," he said.
By doing so, the Indonesian people at the border, outer islands feel the presence of the state, feel the fruits of national development and feel proud to be citizens of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Mahfud said in a statement.
If all ministries, agencies, and local governments unite, then border development will run well, he added.
With the realization of national borders, it is hoped that the border areas will be safe, sovereign, and competitive as desired, the minister said.
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"It is not just a dream, but a vision that we can realize together," he remarked.
Mahfud MD also lauded the concrete steps taken towards border area development and management by ministries/agencies and border regional governments, under the coordination of BNPP.
"Acceleration of border area development through basic infrastructure development, fulfillment of basic social service facilities and infrastructure as well as economic development and development, has gradually opened up isolation and backwardness towards a better direction," Mahfud said.
He said he hoped that the efforts made by all parties make border areas safe, sovereign, and competitive.
On Friday, Mahfud symbolically handed over a token of appreciation and honor to representatives of relevant agencies who played a role in the settlement of the Indonesia-Malaysia land boundary in 2017-2019.
The National Border Management Agency was formed based on Law Number 43 of 2008 concerning State Territory, consisting of coordinating ministers as directors, ministers of home affairs as heads, 27 ministries/agencies and governors as members.
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Translator: Syaiful H, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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