Morotai Needs Infrastructure Support to Grow as Border Hub

Indonesia's National Border Management Agency (BNPP) has conducted a measurement and update of the Border Area Management Index (IPKP) for Daruba, identified as a primary growth center in the border region. This initiative aims to provide a realistic overview of the area's development status and identify strategic challenges, serving as a foundation for future central government programs and policies.

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This activity is important to measure development achievements, identify strategic issues and challenges, and become the basis for formulating programs and policies that require intervention from ministries/agencies.

Edfrie R. Maith, Deputy for Border Area Potential Management at BNPP, emphasized the importance of the measurement in understanding the real conditions of border area management. The assessment focused on Daruba, which encompasses the Morotai Selatan district. Maith highlighted that accelerating the development of Morotai Island, a strategically important outermost region, necessitates more robust support from the central government. He stressed the need to strengthen Morotai's role as a National Strategic Activity Center (PKSN).

The assessment revealed that Morotai, despite its potential as an economic and service hub for the border region, still requires significant support. Key areas needing attention include strategic infrastructure development, enhanced inter-regional connectivity, and the expansion of its leading economic sectors. Transportation connectivity emerged as a critical issue, with limited flight frequencies between Ternate and Morotai, as well as insufficient sea toll services and port capacity, hindering mobility, logistics, and economic competitiveness.

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Morotai as a center for economic growth and services in the border area is considered to still need strategic infrastructure support, increased inter-regional connectivity, and the development of superior sectors.

BNPP proposes affirmative policies such as transportation subsidies, increased flight schedules, improved sea toll services, and strengthened port infrastructure. Additionally, the agency is focusing on optimizing Morotai's substantial fisheries resources and developing the 'Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih' (Red and White Fisherman Village). The region's tourism potential, particularly its marine and historical sites related to World War II, also remains underdeveloped due to accessibility and facility limitations. BNPP seeks to address these through better investment, support facilities, and market access.

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Transportation connectivity is one of the crucial issues. The frequency of Ternate–Morotai flights is still limited, as are Tol Laut services and port capacity, which are considered to hinder mobility, logistics distribution, and the region's economic competitiveness.