THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS (Pemprov) of West Java (Jabar) and Central Java (Jateng) have officially established border management cooperation. This cooperation between the two provinces was marked by the signing of an agreement between the West Java Regional Secretary, Herman Suryatman, and the Central Java Regional Secretary, Sumarno, in Semarang, Monday (7/10).

This collaboration includes the management of a number of border segments, such as between Cirebon - Brebes Regency, Kuningan - Brebes, Kuningan - Cilacap, Ciamis - Cilacap, Banjar - Cilacap, to Pangandaran - Cilacap. Apart from maintaining social stability, this cooperation is expected to encourage economic development in border areas.

Herman Suryatman emphasized the importance of this agreement to strengthen the welfare of residents in border areas. "West Java and Central Java share direct borders, and we have an interest in ensuring that economic growth in this region can be even better," he said. He also added that the social conditions of the border communities must remain conducive, so that the area can develop economically, socially and culturally.

Apart from border management, the discussion also touched on optimizing Kertajati West Java International Airport (BIJB) in Majalengka, West Java. Since October 2023, this airport has started operating again after receiving a mandate from the Minister of Transportation.

Currently, BIJB serves domestic flights to Denpasar, Balikpapan and Medan via Super Air Jet and Citilink, as well as international flights to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. At the end of September 2024, Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, held its first flight to Singapore from BIJB.

This makes things easier for the people of West Java who can now more easily access the airport for passenger and cargo flights, even Umrah. "This is good news for the people of Central Java who want to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, especially for those who live in the western part of Central Java, because BIJB offers a closer and more economical alternative," added Herman.

This year, BIJB has also started Hajj flights, and it is hoped that they can continue in the Hajj season next year. It is also hoped that Kertajati Airport can be a solution for migrant workers from Central Java, which is one of the largest in Indonesia, so that they can take advantage of international flight facilities that are more easily accessible.

The Regional Secretary of Central Java, Sumarno, also welcomed this agreement and hoped that the existing cooperation would not just stop at the signing, but would also be followed by real action in the field. "West Java is our closest neighbor, the neighbor is the first to know if there is a problem. "This cooperation must be followed up with concrete steps for the common good," he said.

Collaboration between these two large provinces is a strategic step in realizing a border region with more potential, both from an economic, social and cultural perspective.

(SOURCE)