Mahfud MD Launches Border Building Movement On Moa Island, Maluku

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD launched the 2023 Border Integrated Development Movement (Gerbangdutas) on Moa Island, Southwest Maluku.

Mahfud, who is also the Head of the Steering Committee for the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), emphasized that border development is one of the national development priorities, especially in the administration of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

"The President firmly stated that the state must be present at the border so that the Indonesian people at the border, the outer islands feel the presence of the state, feel the fruit of national development, and feel proud to be citizens of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," Mahfud MD said on Moa Island as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 15.

It said the government had allocated a budget of around Rp7.7 trillion to build border areas in 15 provinces, 54 districts/cities, and 222 sub-districts, including several sub-districts in Southwest Maluku Regency.

"We must oversee it together so that the budget allocation can be optimally used and the progress we have achieved together in our efforts to build borders can be improved. I as the Head of the BNPP Steering Committee express my appreciation for the various concrete steps in the implementation of development and management by ministries/agencies and local governments at the border," said Mahfud.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs added development programs that run in border areas, including basic infrastructure development, facilities and infrastructure for basic social services, and community economic areas.

Mahfud expressed his belief that efforts to build border areas are one way to realize state borders as a safe, sovereign, and competitive region.

"I also want to invite all of us to believe that the equitable border development unites Indonesia, strengthens sovereignty, and increases civilization," he said.

During a series of visits to border areas, Mahfud MD departed from Moa Island to Meatimiarang Island to visit the Outermost Island Security Task Force. Meatimiarang Island in Southwest Maluku is one of the small and outermost islands bordering the waters of Timor Leste and Australia.

On Meatimiarang Island, Mahfud took the time to have a dialogue with members of the task force and the community and handed over aid packages to them.