Illegal Activity Still Occurs At The Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border, Commission Of The House Of Representatives Highlights The Number Of PLBN

Member of Commission II of the DPR RI at PLBN Sota (Doc. ANTARA)

South PAPUA - Illegal activities including drug smuggling in South Papua Province are in the spotlight, Member of Commission II DPR RI Indrajaya said he wanted to tighten the Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in order to prevent illegal activities in the boundaries of the two countries, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

He said the geographical conditions of South Papua have the longest border line with Papua New Guinea, but currently only two official posts, namely PLBN Sota in Merauke Regency and PLBN Yettkun in Boven Digoel Regency.

"I received information that smuggling is still common, especially marijuana smuggling, through rat routes that do not have a checkpoint," said Indrajaya in a written statement, quoted from ANTARA on Sunday, October 26.

The limitation on the number of border posts has caused a large number of illegal activities that are not monitored by the authorities.

In addition to preventing drugs, according to him, the existence of additional PLBN is very important to strengthen supervision of border areas, as well as protect the public from threats of human trafficking, and smuggling other goods.

"Adding border posts can also be a new gateway for legal economic activity and cross-border cooperation. The government needs to look at strategic aspects and the welfare of border communities in this policy," he said.

He also encouraged the Ministry of Home Affairs, especially the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), to conduct technical studies and field needs related to the potential location for the construction of a new PLBN in South Papua.

"South Papua is a very strategic area, and should get more attention in the context of national border development. We want the state's presence to really be felt at the boundary," he said.