Skouw, Jayapura – Senior Advisor of the Executive Staff of the President, Theofransus Litaay, emphasized that the Government of Indonesia continues to encourage economic revival and welfare of people in border areas, which is in Transnational Border Posts (PLBN) Skouw, Jayapura City. This act was taken as an evidence of the Government’s recognition that borders are the standing point of the country which must be managed well, including by paying attention to the welfare improvement of the surrounding community.
“With the facilities at PLBN Skouw, border management has become more organized and in terms of welfare, we are reviving the economic sector in border area,” Theo asserted after a working visit to the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of Indonesia, Transnational Border Posts (PLBN) Skouw, Wednesday (29/5).
For information, this official visit conducted as field verification held by the Executive Office of the President related to the welfare development program of the community at state borders.
In 2017, during the inauguration of PLBN Skouw, President Joko Widodo affirmed that the presence of this border office must have a significant impact to the welfare of the society. Thus, with the existence of the PLBN, it can function as an economic hub while also eliminating smuggling practices in the border region.
Theo observed that trade activities between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are well organized and can serve as a gateway for export-import development between two countries. He optimised that this can be a learning experience for the new government. “It should be maintained and developed as a legacy,” he continued.
Theo expressed his hope that the presence of these facilities would also serve as a source of pride for the President’s program on the development at the state border. “At least for the Pacific region, PLBN Skouw is one of the best and well-organized state border post, and it is located in Indonesia,” Theo concluded.
Meanwhile, the acting Head of (Pj) PLBN Skouw, Mathilda Pusung, mentioned that PLBN Skouw has become a strategic economic development on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border. On market days in particular, there are many Papua New Guineans who shop for their daily needs, such as basic necessities (sembako) and clothing.
“The existence of the Market in PLBN Skouw is such a relief for the residents of Wutung, Papua New Guinea, it is cheaper in term of price,” she said.
As for information, in Skouw traditional market can serve 100-150 buyers from Papua New Guinea on weekdays. Meantime, on market days, which is Saturday, the number increased to 1000 buyers. Before entering Indonesian territory, they must go through a number of checks, both from immigration, customs, the Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas) Battalion 501 and health quarantine.
