KUCHING: To prepare for the relocation of the Indonesian capital to East Kalimantan, national defence readiness in the Sarawak border region needs to get thorough assessment in advance.
The Chief of the Defence Forces General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said that efforts to improve security in the border area, whether in terms of human resources or the use of technology, are among the important things that must be emphasised even if they have to be implemented in stages.
“As the party responsible for national sovereignty and security, we have done (control) and research on the matter.
“From a defence point of view, there will probably be cross-border crime where the smuggling of goods to the state and likewise will happen,” he said in an exclusive interview session with Suara Sarawak and Sarawak Tribune at Penrissen Army Camp yesterday.
He stressed that the addition of human resources and assets must be done in the near future or has to be done in stages in the face of the relocation of the Indonesian capital.
The results of the study found, he said, that some entry points have the potential to be easy gateways for cross-border activities, which will be the main problem if the relocation of the Indonesian capital occurs.
“When things (the moving of the Indonesian capital) happen, we need to have someone who determines the addition of human resources or assets but it needs to be done in stages because it takes time and requires a large expenditure.
“If possible, we want to make a camp and a border control entrance,” he said.
Affendi said that the relocation of the Indonesian capital is expected to bring
many changes including commercial, economic activities as well as increased settlements in border areas.
Therefore, he is convinced that in general it is necessary to provide more human resources, logistics, and communication routes in controlling border security as measures to face the opening of the neighbour country’s capital in the future.
Earlier, the process of moving Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan will be implemented in stages in line with Indonesia’s vision by the year 2045.
