TEMPO.CO, Pontianak – President Joko Widodo will visit Tuesday three state borders in West Kalimantan.
“The president will visit Temajok Village, Sambas Regency; Entikong, Bangau Regency; and Badau, Kapuas Hulu Regency,” said West Kalimantan government spokesperson J. Numsuan Madsum on Monday.
He said the people of West Kalimantan hoped the central government would make regulatory breakthrough to develop border areas.
“West Kalimantan hopes the National Agency for Border Management (BNPP) can become an agency directly under the president,” he said.
He continued that the BNPP had limited authority due to an overlap in its authority and legal basis, thus resulting in the ban on export and import activities in border areas. Trading activities in border areas are limited to traditional ones.
“Apparently, there is a regulation that allows export and import in border areas, which causes confusion among law enforcement agencies,” said Numsuan.
Export and import activities can bring a huge impact on local governments if they come with strong regulations. The circulation of money in those areas can reach billions of rupiah per month.
ASEANTY PAHLEVI