PLBN Badau: Indonesia’s growth catalyst, symbol of sovereignty

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Kapuas Hulu (ANTARA) – Indonesia and Malaysia share a 2,062-kilometer border on the island of Kalimantan, which separates the Indonesian provinces of West Kalimantan and North Kalimantan from the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah.

In West Kalimantan, there is a cross-border checkpoint (PLBN) in Badao, Kapuashulu Regency. Since it was opened by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in 2017, the checkpoint has been serving the Indonesian people, monitoring the transit of people and goods to and from Lubok Antu, Sarawak.

PLBN Badau station chief Wendelinus Fanu said residents in the border area have been benefiting financially from the operation of the cross-border station.

This year, the number of people crossing the border has reached 70,000, an average of 250-300 people per day. In addition, PLBN also facilitates Indonesia’s export trade.

This positive trend is the result of the Indonesian National Border Agency’s (BNPP) efforts to collaborate with other agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency to provide citizens with one-stop customs, immigration and quarantine services at border crossings.

“The Badau Public Service will continue to provide the best services to the people. Here, the various institutions, agencies and assigned officials continue to work with an ever-improving synergy,” Fanu commented.

The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have reached a series of cooperation agreements in the hope of strengthening their shared commitment to creating and maintaining a secure and prosperous border region.

This matter can even be traced back to half a century ago. In 1970, the two countries signed a bilateral border trade agreement, which aimed to provide more convenience for border residents and meet their basic needs through cross-border trade activities.

On the Indonesian border, the agreement aims to serve businesses and residents operating in the subdistricts of Badau, Lupar, Embaloh Hulu, Empanang and Puring Kencana in Kapuas Hulu, which borders the Malaysian territory.

“Cross-border transactions in the region are conducted within agreed terms,” Fanu said, meaning the agreement covers specific types of goods.

Since its signing, the bilateral trade agreement has been implemented as a five-year agreement, which will be automatically renewed for five years unless Indonesia or Malaysia withdraws or proposes amendments through diplomatic mechanisms.

The agreement was last renewed in June last year.

In the seven years since its establishment, PLBN Badau has become a symbol of pride in Indonesia, especially in the eyes of residents in Kapuas Hulu district, thanks to the post’s contribution to local and national economic growth.

The existence of this outpost can also be seen as a reflection of the government’s sincere concern for the Indonesian border and its residents.

To confirm Indonesia’s sovereignty over parts of Kalimantan, the Indonesian government designated PLBN Badao as the ceremony venue for the celebration of the country’s 79th Independence Day on August 17, 2024.

During the ceremony, Purnomo Sucipto, deputy minister for political, legal and security affairs at the Cabinet Secretariat, stressed that the development of Indonesia’s border regions is crucial to strengthening the country’s sovereignty and promoting prosperity.

“The border area is more than just a territorial boundary, it is also Indonesia’s national image in the eyes of the world,” he said in a statement.

He also stressed that Indonesia should make full use of border railways as a gateway to export large quantities of domestic goods to neighboring countries.

It is worth mentioning that the development of border areas has always been one of the government’s priorities. President Joko Widodo has been pushing the government to achieve equitable development in all regions to equally improve the living standards of citizens, including those living in border areas.

The government has high hopes for PLBN Badau, hoping to make it an export hotspot in West Kalimantan.

Given Kapuashulu’s potential to provide export products, cross-border post offices are expected to play a greater role nationwide. In addition, the area borders not only Malaysia but also East Kalimantan, where Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, is under construction.

In addition, PLBN Badau has been the gateway for foreign tourists to Kapuashulu tourist destinations such as Lake Sentarum National Park and various local cultural tourist attractions.

Tourism at the Kapuashulu Post Office is expected to grow as the services provided there continue to improve and a reliable national road connects the post office to Putusipa, the seat of the district government.

In short, it is no exaggeration to say that PLBN Badao has almost everything it needs to serve as a major gateway for trade and tourism and another tangible symbol confirming Indonesia’s sovereignty over parts of Kalimantan.

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