Jakarta. The government of the archipelagic Indonesia has spent Rp 1.3 trillion (around $85.4 million) to build seven of the so-called cross-border posts. 

These posts, which are typically adjacent to other countries, are responsible for inspecting the passport holders and goods that are about to enter Indonesia. 

During a trip to Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo symbolically launched seven new cross-border posts that are scattered across the archipelago.  

The first post out of the batch was the Napan Post in East Nusa Tenggara. The government spent Rp 128 billion to build the cross-border post. Followed by another Rp 145 billion for the Serasan Post in Riau Islands’ Natuna regency, and an additional Rp 224 billion for the Jagoi Babang cross-border station in West Kalimantan’s Bengkayang regency. 

The Sei Nyamuk cross-border station in North Kalimantan was the most costly out of the seven freshly inaugurated stations with the government spending reaching Rp 248 billion. The government also invested around Rp 210 billion to build the Labang Post in North Kalimantan’s Nunukan. The province also has another entry point in the Malinau regency, namely the Long Nawang Post that cost the government approximately Rp 243 billion. 

Last but not least is the Yetetkun Post in South Papua with the spendings amounting to Rp 127 billion.

“Our spending [for these posts] totals Rp 1.3 trillion, and this is not a small amount of money. … I do hope these integrated cross-border posts can boost the services for Indonesians who wish to cross the borders,” Jokowi said at the launch ceremony.

In his speech, Jokowi called Indonesia’s borders as “buffer zones” that were instrumental to Indonesia’s defense. Jokowi said he hoped this could improve the security at the borders. As expected, the outgoing president is also seeking the economic benefits out of these cross-border stations. On many occasions, Jokowi has talked of wanting to drive growth beyond Java. 

“Hopefully, these [posts] can create new economic centers at the borders, and make the locals be more proud of our country,” Jokowi said.