Indonesia Territory Expands by 127.3 Hectares on Border Sebatik Island

April 15, 2026 | 05:35 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has reaffirmed its territorial sovereignty over Sebatik Island in North Kalimantan, following the completion of the land boundary delimitation with Malaysia. This process increased the Republic of Indonesia's legal territory by 127.3 hectares.

"The completion of the boundary delimitation on Sebatik Island is a concrete manifestation of the success of peaceful diplomacy that strengthens Indonesia's territorial sovereignty," said Chief of Presidential Staff Muhammad Qodari at the Bina Graha Building in the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.

According to the agreement, 127.3 hectares of land that used to be part of Malaysia under the old borders now legally belongs to Indonesia. Conversely, only about 4.9 hectares of land within Indonesia's former borders now falls under Malaysian territory.

To strengthen functions in border areas, the government has allocated a budget of Rp86 billion for 2026. These funds are earmarked for operating 15 State Border Crossing Posts (PLBNs), which are managed by the National Border Management Agency (BNPP).

From December 2016 to October 2024, Indonesia built and inaugurated 15 of the planned 18 PLBNs across various regions. The operational PLBNs include Entikong, Motaain, Skouw, and Sebatik, the latter of which recently completed land border delimitation.

Qodari explained that the PLBN has become a center for economic growth in border areas. More than 2.4 million people have passed through the 15 PLBNs, generating a total trade value of Rp13.5 trillion.

The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) continues to conduct regular monitoring and verification on-site to ensure the PLBN operates smoothly. This includes coordinating the ratification of the Border Crossing Agreement (BCA) between Indonesia and both Malaysia and Timor-Leste.

PLBNs, such as those in Motaain, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and Skouw, Papua, have been proven to increase international tourist visits and local product exports. The government is committed to making border areas safe, orderly, and highly economically competitive.

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