Jakarta. Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said on Wednesday that the Jagoi Babang cross-border post sought to keep the border areas orderly.

The cross-border post lies in Bengkayang, West Kalimantan. Tito visited the post on Wednesday ahead of the inauguration ceremony. 

“I wanted to make sure that the post is ready. President Joko Widodo will soon inaugurate the Jagoi Babang cross-border post,” Tito said in a statement.

Tito also chairs the National Border Management Agency (BNPP). During his visit, Tito also instructed the BNPP to expedite the establishment of the 11 integrated cross-border posts as well as their supporting facilities. 

“A cross-border post seeks to create an orderly and safe border area. It seeks to become a new economic growth epicentrum,” Tito said.

During Nov. 1-27, as many as 1,090 people crossed the borders from Indonesia to Malaysia via the Jagoi Babang cross-border post. About 1,015 people were Indonesian nationals, while 75 others were foreigners. The post also recorded 1,069 people going from Malaysia to Indonesia, 1,000 of whom were Indonesians while 69 people were foreigners. As many as 40 people usually cross the border each day in both directions.

“We must manage the cross-border post well. It should also be an effective and modern management. The cross-border services have to be quick and not complicated. This interbody collaboration becomes key in addressing various issues, including security in the cross-border post area,” Tito said. 

According to Tito, the cross-border post should also help develop the social and cultural activities around it. He also told the West Kalimantan and Bengkayang governments to make the cross-border post area an economic growth driver. The success of this project is not only measured in terms of physical infrastructure but also from the positive impact it produces on the surrounding community.