Bordering Areas Call for Regional Expansion, Says Minister

TEMPO.CO , Jakarta – Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said there had been proposals for regional expansion from areas on the country’s border, adding that he learned the aspiration when visiting Sebatik Island and Nunukan city in East Kalimantan recently.

“There have been proposals, but not many,” he said in his office in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 6, 2015. But the proposals, he added, could not be immediately approved, allowing for a string of prior considerations, including the regions’ potential.

He took for example the numerous palm oil plantations on Sebatik Island, whose produces were mostly sent to Malaysia. “It means there is no increase in the regional’s government’s coffer on Sebatik Island,” he said.

Tjahjo explained the objective of regional expansion was to boost the locals’ welfare, create an equal level of development across regions, and focus on regional revenues. He added that 60 percent of regions that had been expanded during 1999-2014 had failed to meet the goal.

Tjahjo also said President Jokowi had also called for accelerated development in bordering areas.

“In line with the president’s direction, the task is given to the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs,” Tjahjo said. 

PRIHANDOKO