The cross-border route was formally opened at the Napan PLBN in North Timor Tengah district with the signing and recital of a joint statement by BNPP secretary Makhruzi Rahman and the president of Timor-Leste's Oecusse-Ambeno Special Region, Rogerio Lobato.
"We have opened the Napan PLBN-Oesilo Border Post crossing to boost the economy of people living in the border area," Rahman said, according to a BNPP statement released here on Thursday.
He added that the transboundary route has also been opened in response to requests from residents and the government of North Timor Tengah.
Rahman said that the route is expected to support the mobility of people and goods between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
He also stressed that the presence of an official route is necessary to prevent illegal crossings that could undermine the stability of the border region.
"We hope that the operation of this channel will prevent people from using illegal paths and help us maintain mutual respect between the two sovereign countries," he said.
He further noted that the official crossing is a testament to the shared commitment of the BNPP, regional governments, and relevant ministries and agencies to spur progress and development in Indonesia's border areas.
The Napan PLBN is one of the seven integrated cross-border posts inaugurated by former Indonesian president Joko Widodo on October 2 last year.
The other posts include the Serasan PLBN in Riau Islands province; Jagoi Babang PLBN in West Kalimantan province; Yetetkun PLBN in South Papua province; and Sei Nyamuk, Labang, and Long Nawang PLBNs in North Kalimantan province.
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Translator: Fath P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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