Sabah-Kalimantan border expect rife developments after relocation of Indonesian capital

29 August 2024

By AVV

KOTA KINABALU: Kalimantan and Sabah should continue to promote the development of border areas, especially land border points, with the relocation of the Indonesian capital to Nusantara East Kalimantan.

This includes the establishment of customs, immigration, quarantine, and security (CIQS) facilities.

The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Rafail Walangitan said the relocation of the capital to Nusantara is expected to bring great potential for cooperation between Indonesia and Sabah, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contact.

He was speaking during a Diplomatic Reception to celebrate the 79th Independence Day of Indonesia,at Sabah International Convention centre (SICC) on Wednesday.

He said various cooperation opportunities for Sabah, which is located on the same island, will increasingly open up, particularly in areas such as basic infrastructure, renewable energy, niche tourism including health tourism, and fast-moving consumer goods.

The growing population in the capital Nusantara in the future will create even more opportunities, he reiterated.

One of Indonesia's diplomatic roles is to enhance good relations with friendly countries, including Malaysia, especially Sabah, he said.

" Bilateral cooperation between Sabah and Indonesia is an important modality that should be optimally utilized for the benefit of both countries."

"As neighbouring countries that share a direct border, Indonesia and Sabah have many similarities that can serve as a strong foundation for building relationships between our two nations in various fields, including economic, social, and cultural areas."

In the economic sector, data from Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency and the Ministry of Trade indicates that trade between Indonesia and Malaysia has consistently shown a positive trend, reaching a value of USD 23.22 billion in 2023, he shared.

"Malaysian investment in Indonesia has also been on the rise, reaching USD 4.06 billion in 2023. Investment plans from Malaysia in the Nusantara Capital have been recorded in 11 projects, with a Letter of Intent signed during Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Indonesia in 2023."

Speaking on the Indonesia's independence day, he shared it

became a special day for the island of Kalimantan, or Borneo, as the commemoration of Indonesia's independence was celebrated outside Jakarta for the first time on August 17.

" Indonesian President Joko Widodo celebrated this independence day in the new capital currently under construction, Nusantara, located in East Kalimantan. The theme for this year's independence celebration is "Nusantara Baru, Indonesia Maju" (New Archipelago, Advanced Indonesia)."

Rafail said this commemoration also marks the beginning of the relocation of the capital, the President's residence, and the Presidential Office, which will be followed by the gradual relocation of ministers and their staff. It is hoped that this process will go smoothly alongside the ongoing infrastructure development that will continue until 2045, when Indonesia celebrates its 100th Independence Day.

Present during the event were Sabah Head of State Tun Johar Mahiruddin and his consort, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and his wife, as well as members of the Indonesian consulate and notables.