Visiting Sota PLBN, Papua New Guinea Consulate Appreciates Development of South Papua
Merauke – The Sota State Border Post (PLBN), Sota District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, received a visit from the Papua New Guinean Consulate, Geoffrey L Wiri and the Indonesian Consulate for Papua New Guinea, Alexander Tangkuman Imanuel on Thursday (03/10/2024).
The purpose of the consulate’s arrival, accompanied by a number of other Papua New Guinean officials who are tasked with managing the border, was to verify the southern region of the Papua New Guinea – Indonesia border.
The arrival of the consulate and the Papua New Guinean officials was welcomed by the Head of the General Administration and Cross-Border Facilitation Sub-Division, Sota PLBN, Henokh Fernando representing the Head of Sota PLBN, Head of Sota PLBN, Ni Luh Puspa.
Furthermore, the Sota PLBN facilitated a meeting between the consulate and Papua New Guinean officials to hold a meeting with elements of the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) of the Sota Working Area (Wilker). The meeting was led by the Head of the Regional Border Management Agency (BPPD) of Merauke Regency, South Papua, Rekianus Samkakai.
Papua New Guinean Consulate, Geoffrey introduced one by one the verification group from Papua New Guinea who arrived at the Sota PLBN. He expressed his joy and emotion over his third arrival at the Sota PLBN and saw the progress of development.
“I am very happy and moved to see the advanced South Papua region, including the cross-border office facility building built by the Indonesian government,” explained Geoffrey.
Geoffrey explained, based on information and input from each CIQ Wilker Sota officer, so far the cross-border service has been running well.
Regarding cross-border documents, he continued, it was conveyed by the Papua New Guinea immigration officer to immediately complete the PNG Immigration Post representative in Weriaver village. This is so that the Papua New Guinean people can more easily make entry permits to cross into Indonesia.
“Because so far only the traditional leader has made the Cross-Border Pass card,” he explained.
He also explained that with the information from this visit, the Papua New Guinea Consul General can collect information to be discussed later with the PNG government, including Papua New Guinean citizens living in the Sota Border area.
He also thanked the head of the Merauke Regency Regional Border Management Agency (BPPD), who always accompanied the Papua New Guinea delegation during the visit and arrival in South Papua Province.
The Papua New Guinea survey team had the opportunity to review one of the pillars or markers of the RI – Papua New Guinea border, namely the MM 13 marker. In addition, the survey team from Papua New Guinea also held a meeting with Papua New Guinean citizens living around the Sota PLBN border with Weam, Papua New Guinea.
Before leaving, the Papua New Guinea survey team also symbolically handed over food aid to its citizens and Papua New Guinean military personnel serving on the Papua New Guinea – RI border. []
