"We hope this event is not just ceremonial but can equalize perceptions because handling borders cannot be done by one agency. This is a cross-agency and central and regional work, so coordination is the keyword," he added.
According to the minister, all countries are concerned about securing their borders to maintain their sovereignty.
"It concerns national sovereignty when a foreign country crosses the border (of another country)," he explained.
For this reason, he said, guarding a country's border areas is very important, especially in Indonesia.
"Because Indonesia is one of the largest countries, and the largest archipelagic country in the world, which makes border management not easy," he added.
Karnavian said the first dimension of border management is guarding territorial boundaries as a symbol of national sovereignty, while the second dimension is prosperity.
He pushed prosperity as a priority, in keeping with President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) directive on the equitable distribution of development that is not just concentrated in certain areas.
"For instance, (development) is focused in cities on Java Island, but instead, (development) must also be carried out in border areas," he explained.
Karnavian said that if Indonesia's border areas are prosperous, the people in those areas will have a high spirit of nationalism.
"The (conditions) at the borders (make) our society always compare with the other side. If they think here is better, pride will arise, thus nationalism will arise," he added.
According to him, people in border areas often compare their condition with that of neighboring countries, which leads to them changing their citizenship.
"If it is better next door, then their nationalism will move there, hence, the President wants these borders to be built and developed," he explained.
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Translator: Narda S, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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