The Jokowi Era In Development Continues, Conditions For Indonesia's Border Areas Are Currently Considered Better

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhankam) Mahfud MD assessed that the condition of Indonesia's border areas had improved during the administration of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

This was stated by Mahfud after receiving a report from the Minister of Home Affairs (Tito Karnavian) as the Head of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) and from direct observations.

"I can conclude that gradually our border face has turned towards a better direction," Mahfud said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 25.

According to Mahfud, state borders are the front homepages that represent the face of the nation and the progress of Indonesia, so that border development continues to be carried out by ministries and non-ministerial government institutions (K/L) simultaneously and directionally.

Geographically, he continued, Indonesia is a country with many islands, which is around 17,580 islands. According to Mahfud, all of these islands have been registered with the United Nations.

"There is an island that has a name and some are not yet named," added Mahfud.

Therefore, the Government formed BNPP through Law Number 43 of 2008 concerning State Regions and Presidential Regulation (PP) Number 44 of 2017 concerning Amendments to Government Regulation Number 12 of 2010 concerning the National Border Management Agency (BNPP).

"The coordinating ministers as directors, the Minister of Home Affairs as chairman, plus 27 ministries and institutions, to the governors whose territories have borders with other countries who are also members," said Mahfud.

He revealed that at the end of the administration of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, the 2023/2024 national medium-term development plan (RPJMN) and the master plan for state border management in 2023/2024 will end.

Therefore, ref-focusing is needed so that the targets at the border that have not been implemented, are sustainable, and have been set to be carried out optimally.

"Of course, maybe later there will be some left, we will continue to try to maximize it. If there is anything left, it will be easier and more technical than the target set by Mr. President Jokowi," he said.

This is to realize the country's borders as a safe, sovereign, and competitive front homepage.

Mahfud admitted that he was very concerned about the implementation of border development programs as stated in the master plan and the action plan for managing state borders and border areas.

"I emphasize that it is our duty as members of the BNPP and of course I said earlier that it was our duty and obligation," he explained.

He explained that these tasks and obligations must be realized in order to protect Indonesian demographics and geography. He also hopes that all BNPP members can increase their commitment and coordination in efforts to build border areas.

"As Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, I and other coordinating ministers who are based as directors will monitor and monitor the implementation of the development program in the master plan," said Mahfud MD.