Only One Indonesia-Timor Leste Border to Open During Pope Francis' Visit to Dili

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Motaain Cross Border Post (PLBN) in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), will be the only land border opened ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Dili, Timor Leste. 

“PLBN Motaain is the only entrance that will be opened to serve the crossing of people and goods in the land border area between Indonesia and Timor Leste,” Indra Maulana Dimyati, Head of the Atambua Class II Immigration Office, said in an official statement to Tempo on Saturday, September 7, 2024. 

Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Timor Leste provides an opportunity for the people of NTT, especially in the Indonesia-Timor Leste border region, to attend the celebration of the Great Mass on September 10, 2024 in Tasitolu, Timor Leste. 

To improve immigration services for Catholics who will cross, Atambua Immigration added three additional examination counters at PLBN Motaain from the original three counters. In addition, Immigration installed two additional counters at the toll lane outside the PLBN building to check the drivers of vehicles of parishioners who will attend the Great Mass. 

“All additional counters use the BCM Mobile Unit owned by the Atambua Immigration Office,” Indra said. 

The Atambua Immigration Office also mitigates risks by coordinating with the Motaain PLBN administrator in terms of providing internet networks, adjusting the layout of the immigration area, improving communication networks, and utilizing other PLBN facilities needed to launch this activity.

To accommodate the additional examination counter, the Atambua Immigration Office alerted an additional personnel of 80 immigration officers who came from other immigration posts. “They are assisted in conducting immigration checks at PLBN Motaain during September 06-12, 2024,” Indra said. 

Fr. Vincentius Wun, Vicar General of Atambua Diocese, expressed his gratitude for the support and facilities provided by the Atambua Immigration Office, including the eazy passport service for people who will pass through and appreciated the preparation of immigration services at PLBN Motaain. 

The Atambua Immigration Office has provided Eazy Passport services directly at the Atambua Diocese Office. A total of 99 passports were issued from this Eazy Passport, with 15 passports on July 30 and 84 passports on August 10. 

The Dioceses of Atambua and Kupang have also recorded the groups of people who will cross. There are 596 people from Atambua Diocese and 201 people from Kupang Archdiocese. They will simultaneously depart for Dili on September 9, 2024.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

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