President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed officials to accord priority to the development of border regions and their spatial management, including in West Kalimantan, according to Presidential Staff Office (KSP RI) Deputy II Abetnego Tarigan.
"We are being mindful of the conditions of public services in border regions. Moreover, the development of human resources, from the education, healthcare, and social protection sectors, are important issues in the border regions," Tarigan stated during a national seminar hosted by Tanjungpura University's law master studies here, Monday.
The KSP official then urged Tanjungpura University to partake in the development of border regions and offer solutions to ongoing issues in the national border development.
Responding to Tarigan's appeal, Tanjungpura University Rector Professor Garuda Wiko remarked that the university had collaborated with the coordinating ministry of human development and cultural affairs and other stakeholders to synergize in developing West Kalimantan's border regions.
"Apart from developing border regions, we also need to establish its ecosystem and be attentive to its administration. Access, public services, and economy of border regions must be developed to improve (the condition of) residents of border regions in West Kalimantan," Wiko expounded.
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Moreover, Border Management Agency Head Alexander Rombonarang stated that apart from maintaining national sovereignty, the development of border regions must also improve the well-being of residents.
"The development of border regions is integrated with the national issues on sovereignty and measures to develop a border region that is advanced, developed, and prosperous," Rombonarang affirmed.
He emphasized that residents of border regions should receive quality basic facilities and public services from the government despite the remote locations, as no one must be left behind in national development.
The agency head is also optimistic of more public inputs to optimize the development of border regions.
"We could not conceive solutions only on our own. Careful consideration is a must in making policy decisions, and inputs from higher education institutions in West Kalimantan (could help our work)," Rombonarang remarked.
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Editor : Mahdani
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