Merauke, South Papua | August 4, 2025 — The Sota Border Post (Pos Lintas Batas Negara/PLBN), located in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, welcomed a high-level visit on Sunday (August 3, 2025) from Mohammad Kurniadi Koba, Deputy II for Foreign Political Affairs at Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polhukam).
Deputy Kurniadi was accompanied by Air Commodore Parimeng, Assistant Deputy for Telecommunications and Informatics Coordination, as well as other senior ministry officials. The delegation was warmly received by Henokh F. Korwa, Head of General Administration and Service Facilities at PLBN Sota, along with the operational team.
This visit is part of the central government’s ongoing effort to ensure that cross-border services function optimally. Deputy Kurniadi conducted an on-site inspection of the CIQS (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security) officers who safeguard Indonesia’s front lines at the border with Papua New Guinea (PNG).
During discussions with officers on duty, Deputy Kurniadi expressed high appreciation for the professionalism and discipline shown by the CIQS personnel in serving cross-border communities. He noted that Sota Border Post has demonstrated strong performance in managing the movement of people and goods in a region marked by complex social, economic, and security dynamics.
“Services at PLBN Sota are orderly and professional. This is clear proof of the state’s presence at the border,” said Deputy Kurniadi during his conversation with the officers.
Beyond inspecting the service facilities, the delegation also visited Border Marker MM 13, a symbolic point that marks the boundary between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
At the site, Deputy Kurniadi took time to engage with local residents, including PNG nationals shopping at the border market and Indonesian citizens accessing nearby healthcare services.
The Head of PLBN Sota, Mathilda B. Pusung, welcomed the visit and emphasized that the central government’s attention serves as a major source of motivation for the entire PLBN team.
“This visit demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to our border regions. We at PLBN Sota remain dedicated to delivering excellent service, upholding integrity, and strengthening the presence of the Indonesian state at its borders,” said Mathilda.
She further noted that cross-border services go beyond immigration and administrative matters — they also touch on humanitarian issues, economic opportunities, and the social-cultural ties between citizens of both nations. “The PLBN is not just a crossing point — it is also a vital hub for safe and productive interaction among all border communities,” she added.
This visit reaffirms PLBN Sota’s ongoing transformation, under the management of Indonesia’s National Border Management Agency (BNPP), into a strategic node that not only oversees cross-border movement but also enhances social, economic, and humanitarian cooperation for communities on both sides of the border.
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