T

he central government is allocating Rp 825 billion (US$91.6 million) this year to develop infrastructure and facilities in Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which borders Timor Leste.

The funds would be disbursed via 23 ministries and institutions specifically to develop areas on the border with Timor Leste, said Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi in Kupang on Thursday, on the sidelines of a meeting with provincial leaders from across the archipelago.

NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya previously urged the central government to improve basic infrastructure, such as roads, clean water facilities, healthcare, education and housing for residents living in the border area.

Gamawan said the development of infrastructure and social facilities in border areas received special focus from the government.

During the occasion, Gamawan also asked Belu Regent Yoacim Lopez to oversee the development work.

“I call upon the Belu regent to oversee the implementation of the development, which is currently underway. If there are any issues, please resolve them immediately,” he said.

With regards to housing, Gamawan asked Yoacim to submit a budget proposal to the central government.

“Funds are available. Please propose a budget to the government. The important thing is to have clear land status before any houses are built,” he said as quoted by Antara.

He added that the government would allocate additional funds to develop the border areas to be on a par with neighboring countries.

 “How can we expect people to feel a sense of nationalism if they have to walk everywhere due to the lack of adequate roads. Up until now, people have been living in substandard homes, with no access to healthcare,” he said.

The government has earmarked Rp 825 billion to improve the country’s border areas, involving 23 ministries and NGOs.

“The government’s commitment to developing border areas can be seen by the significant funding allocation of Rp 825 billion,” Gamawan said.

According to him, the government would build a border gateway to optimize territorial and border area management in coordination with the ministries and other institutions through the Integrated Border Development Movement.

“The four border gateways that are due to receive special attention are Sambas regency in West Kalimantan; Nunukan regency in East Kalimantan; Belu regency in NTT; and Keerom regency in Papua,” said Gamawan.

An Integrated State Border Crossing Post (PLBN) will be built at a cost of Rp 4 billion in Belu, Motamasin, which borders with Suai district.

“The government expects the border areas to serve as adequate gateways into the country, so
they need to be developed well,” he added.

Separately, Frans said NTT and six other provinces in Indonesia had expressed their hopes to Gamawan to be recognized as island provinces.

“We want to be recognized legally as an island province so that we can organize our own sea, land and air territories in NTT, which consists of 1,192 small islands,” Frans said.

The six other provinces are Bangka Belitung, Maluku, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, Riau Islands and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).