Building the Embryo of a New Economic Center in Sebatik

 The PUPR Ministry is completing the construction of the Integrated Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Sei Pancang Sebatik, North Kalimantan. It is not only an entry gate, but also the embryo of an economic growth center in the border region.

Infrastructure development carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is not only carried out in developed areas, but also in border areas, small islands and the outermost. This development is to encourage economic equality and improve the welfare of the community in the outermost, most remote, and disadvantaged (3T) regions.

In 2018, the PUPR Ministry has completed the construction of seven integrated cross-border posts (PLBN). Namely, three PLBNs in West Kalimantan Province (Entikong, Badau, and Aruk), three in NTT Province (namely PLBN Motaain, Motamassin, and Wini) and one PLBN in Papua Province (Skouw).

In 2020, the PUPR Ministry has started construction of the Sei Pancang Integrated Border Crossing Post (PLBN) which will become a new icon at the entrance gate to the Indonesia-Malaysia border in North Kalimantan Province (Kaltara), as well as the forerunner of the center of economic activity in North Sebatik District, Nunukan Regency.

The construction itself was carried out by the North Kalimantan Province Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW) of the Directorate General of Human Settlements with the implementing contractor PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero) Tbk.

To support inspection operations, X-Ray cabin baggage, metal detectors, ticketing, improving the quality of entrances and exits, sidewalks, drainage, vehicle parking, walkway bridges, and mechanical electrical and plumbing (MEP) work in the area were also built. The construction of the Sei Pancang PLBN also develops the concept of green infrastructure through landscaping, planting trees, and grass as well as roof gardens for multi-storey buildings.

"The construction of the PLBN is not only an entry gate, but also an embryo of a regional economic growth center that can improve the welfare of border communities," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, some time ago.

The construction of the Sei Pancang Integrated PLBN began on February 24, 2020 with a target completion date of December 27, 2021. It was recorded that as of June 27, 2021, the overall physical construction progress had reached 52.51% with a financial absorption of 56.70% of the initial construction contract value of IDR 226.18 billion through the 2020-2021 multi-year contract (MYC) scheme.

The Sei Pancang PLBN was built on an area of ​​68,169 m2 by the North Kalimantan Provincial Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW), Directorate General of Human Settlements, with the implementing contractor PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero) Tbk. The development is divided into core zones and supporting zones which include a 3-story main building with an area of ​​5,613 m2, a 2-story employee dormitory with an area of ​​1,904 m2, and a 2-story Wisma Indonesia with an area of ​​1,888 m2.

Furthermore, to support operations, ticketing and corridors, water towers and GWT, waste management facilities, bridges, utilities and plazas, roads and pedestrians, and surrounding fences were also built. The Sei Pancang PLBN also develops a green infrastructure concept through landscaping, planting trees and grass, and roof gardens for multi-storey buildings. The PLBN location can be accessed using a speedboat from Tarakan City as the Capital City of North Kalimantan Province with a travel time of around three hours.

The Sei Pancang Integrated PLBN is one of four PLBNs built by the PUPR Ministry in North Kalimantan Province. The other three integrated PLBNs are Long Midang and Labang in Nunukan Regency and Long Nawang in Malinau Regency. The construction of the four is regulated in Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2019 concerning the Acceleration of the Development of 11 Integrated PLBNs and Supporting Infrastructure in Border Areas.

The other seven PLBNs that will be built in the next stage are PLBN Serasan in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, Oepoli in Kupang Regency and Napan in North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Yetetkun Waropko District in Boven Digoel Regency, Papua Province, Long Nawang in Malinau Regency, Jasa-Sei Kelik in Sintang Regency, and Labang in Nunukan Regency in East Kalimantan Province.

Data released by the PUPR Ministry stated that the budget for the construction of these 11 PLBNs was IDR 1.7 trillion, sourced from the PUPR Ministry's APBN ceiling which was distributed through the Directorate General of Human Settlements. Meanwhile, for the four PLBNs auctioned in 2019, the total budget ceiling was IDR 780 billion.

The development of border areas by the PUPR Ministry is generally not only specific to the PLBN core zone, such as main buildings, integrated arrival inspection buildings, clinics, carwash/disinfectants, weighbridges, truck scanners, departure inspection buildings, confiscation warehouses, kennels, utility buildings, checkpoint buildings, and monuments.

But also, parallel border roads, access roads to cross-border posts and development of settlement infrastructure in border areas such as the construction of environmental roads, drainage, waste management, and provision of clean water, including markets as a means of supporting the economic development of the local community.

The construction of this PLBN is not only a source of pride for the Indonesian nation as a great nation, but the most important thing is its defense and security function and as a center for economic growth.

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