RI 77th Anniversary, Home Affairs Minister Hopes Indonesian Citizens Are More Advanced In Activities In Border Areas

JAKARTA - Head of the Home Affairs Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) Eko Prasetyanto conveyed the message of the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian in the ceremony of the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia (RI).

Eko said the Minister of Home Affairs would like to thank all local government agencies and ranks, including the community, who have carried out their duties throughout the country's border areas to the outermost and remote small islands.

"Thank you for the dedication of time, energy, and thoughts in maintaining and developing border areas," he said.

This was said by Eko while leading the RI 77th Anniversary ceremony at the Badau State Border Post (PLBN), Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan (West Kalimantan), Wednesday, August 17.

Then, the recovery of the economic conditions of border communities affected by the post-COVID-19 pandemic also needs to be a priority. This step is so that the national logistics system for supplying the living needs of border communities can run more effectively.

"Through this momentum to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, we need to empower the potential and use domestic products, increase the role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the rotation of border areas," he said.

One of the innovative ideas that have been realized in accelerating changes in border area conditions is through the presence of the National Border Post (PLBN).

He said the president's hope was that the construction of the PLBN would not only be limited to physical services that only served cross-border administration. However, he said, the existence of the PLBN must be a force for economic development and the welfare of the surrounding community.

"PLBN does not only change the physical appearance of the area which was previously considered inappropriate, but in the spirit of nationality, PLBN is the beginning of the growth of our nation's pride and self-esteem towards neighboring countries," he said.

Eko said the Minister of Home Affairs also gave four notes that all parties need to pay attention to.

He said, first, the need to empower potential and use domestic products. In addition, increasing the role of SMEs in the economic cycle of the border area.

Second, foster a sense of pride for every Indonesian citizen that is able to stand at the same height or be more advanced in activities with the people of neighboring countries.

Third, he continued, the need to maintain territorial integrity, state sovereignty, as well as create productive activities that can provide benefits for the welfare of the community.

Furthermore, fourth, the need to maintain unity and integrity and preserve the environment among the people and government officials assigned to the border.