Recognizing Indonesia's Border

Dari Sabang sampai Merauke berjajar pulau-pulau. Sambung menyambung menjadi satu itulah Indonesia

- Dari Sabang sampai Merauke song created by R. Suharjo-

If foreigners ever asked us as Indonesian about what Indonesia is, we must be remember that song. Maybe most of us will answer that Indonesia is a country which is located in South East Asia, between Hindia and Pacific ocean and it stretching from Sabang until Merauke. Therefore, lets imagine if the foreigners continue their question, what else Indonesia is? If Sabang is in the west and Merauke is in the east of Indonesia, how about the north and the south of Indonesia? And if Indonesia is located between Hindia and Pacific ocean, then how far it's limit? Who is Indonesia's neighbor? Maybe most of Indonesian will be confused and cannot answer those questions clearly. So before starting feel uneasy whenever another country looks try to "steal" our territory, let’s start to recognize our country's border first.

According to UU No. 43 tahun 2008, territory of Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) is the integral territory of land, sea and air space including all of the sources which is contained in it. NKRI sea territory is divided into inland waters, archipelagic waters and territorial sea. While NKRI jurisdiction is outer territory which is consist of Economic Exclusive Zone, Continental Shelf and Additional Zone (no longer than 24 mile of territorial sea).

Then, country border is a border line which is separated the sovereignty of one country based on international law. While jurisdiction border is border line which is separated the rights of sovereignty and country's authority depends on country's legislation and international law. So the border area is a part of state's territory which is located in the inner side along the Indonesia border with another country.

In land, Indonesia is neighboring with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. The area of  Indonesia – Malaysia’s border is located in West Borneo province such as in Kabupaten Sambas, Kabupaten Bengkayang, Kabupaten Sanggau, Kabupaten Sintang and Kabupaten Kapuas Hulu. It is also located in East Borneo province such as in Kabupaten Kutai Barat, Kabupaten Nunukan and Kabupaten Malinau.

The area of Indonesia – Papua New Guinea border is located in Papua province such as in Kota Jayapura, Kabupaten Keerom, Kabupaten Pegunungan Bintan, Kabupaten Merauke and Kabupaten Boven Digul. The area of Indonesia – Timor Leste border is located in East Nusa Tenggara province such as Kota Kupang, Kabupaten Timor Tengah Utara and Kabupaten Belu.

While in the sea Indonesia is neighboring with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor Leste. In the other hands, depends on jurisdiction, Indonesia is neighboring with jurisdiction of Australia, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

The area of Indonesia – Thailand/ India / Malaysia sea border is located in Aceh and North Utara provinces such as Kota Sabang and Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai. The area of Indonesia – Malaysia / Vietnam / Singapore sea border is located in Riau and Riau Islands province such as Kabupaten Bengkalis, Kabupaten Indra Giri Hilir, Kabupaten Rokan Hilir, Meranti Islands, Kaupaten Dumai, Kabupaten Pelalawan, Bintan Island, Karimun Island, Anambas Island, Kota Batam and Kabupaten Natuna.

The area of Indonesia – Malaysia and Philippines sea border is located in East Borneo, Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi provinces such  as Kabupaten Berau, Kabupaten Nunukan, Kabupaten Toli-toli, Kabupaten Bolaang, Kabupaten Mongondouw Utara, Kabupaten Minahasa Utara, Kabupaten Sangihe, Talaud Island and Siau Tagulandang Biaro. The area of Indonesia – Palau sea border is located in North Maluku, Papuan and West Papua province such as Kabupaten Halmahera Tengah, Morotai Island, Kabupaten Supiori, Kabupaten Raja Ampat and Kabupaten Tambrauw.

The area of Indonesia – Timor Leste and Australia sea border is located in Papua and Maluku provinces such as Kabupaten Merauke, Kabupaten Asmat, Kabupatan Maluku Tenggara Barat, Kabupaten Maluku Barat Daya and Aru Island. The area of Indonesia – Timor Leste Sea border is located in East Nusa Tenggara province such as Alor Island, Rote Ndao Island, Kabupaten Sabu Raijua and Kabupaten Sumba Timur.

The area of Indonesia – high seas border is located in Aceh, North Sumatera, West Sumatera, Bengkulu, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java and West Nusa Tenggara provinces such as Kabupaten Aceh Jaya, Kabupaten Aceh Besar, Kabupaten Simeuleu, Kabupaten Nias, Kabupaten Nias Selatan, Mentawai Island, Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara, Kabupaten Lampung Barat, Kabupaten Pandeglang, Kabupaten Tasikmalaya, Kabupaten Cilacap, Kabupaten Jember, Kabupaten Trenggalek and Kabupaten Lombok Barat.

Moreover according to Bappenas report on 2013, Indonesia have 17.504 islands but only 13.466 islands was registered at United Nations in 2012. According to Perpres No. 78 tahun 2005, there are 92 islands which is called as Indonesia's outer Islands, and there are only 31 islands of them have a population.

In Riau Islands province there are Sentut Island (bordering with Singapore). In Natuna Sea there are Tokong Malang Biru Island, Damar Island, Mangkai Island, Tokong Nanas Island, Tokong Berlayar Island, Tokongboro Island , Semiun Island, Seubi Kecil Island and Kepala Island . In South China Sea there are Sebetul Island, Sekatung Island and Senua Island. In Malacca Strait there are Batu Mandi Island, Iyu Kecil Island and Karimun Kecil Island.In Singapore Strait there are Nipa Island, Pelampong Island, Batu Berhanti Island and Nongsa Island.

In East Borneo province there are Sebatik Island, Gosong Makasar Island, Maratua Island and Sambit Island. In Central Sulawesi province there are Lingian Island, Salando Island and Dolangan Island. In North Sulawesi Province there are Bangkit Island, Manterawu Island, Makelahi Island, Kawalusu Island, Kawio Island, Marore Island, Batu Bawaikang Island, Miangas Island, Marampit Island, Intata Island and Kakarutan Island.

In North Maluku province there are Jiew Island. In Papua province there are Budd Island, Fani Island, Miossu Island, Fanildo Island, Bras Island, Bepondi Island, Liki Island, Kolepon Island, Laag Island. In Maluku Province there are Ararkula Island, Karaweira Island, Panambulai Island, North Kultubai Island, South Kultubai Island, Karang Island, Enu Island, Batu Goyang Island, Larat Island, Asutubun Island, Selaru Island, Batarkusu Island, Masela Island, Meatimiriang Island, Leti Island, Kisar Island, Wetar Island and Liran Island.

In East Nusa Tenggara Province there are Alor Island, Batek Island, Dana Islands (there are two island which name as Dana Island with different coordinate point), Mangudu Island. In West Nusa Tenggara Province there is Shopialouisa Island.

In East Java province there are Barung Island, Sekel Island and Panehan Island. In Central Java Province there is Nusakambangan Island which is known as prisoners island. In West Java province there is Manuk Island. In Banten province there is Deli Island.

In Lampung province there is Batu Kecil Island. In Bengkulu province there are Enggano Island and Mega Island. In West Sumatera province there are Sibarubaru Island and Sinyaunyau Island. In North Sumatera province there are Simuk Island , Wangoe Island and Berhala Island. In Nangroe Aceh Darussalam province there are Simeulucut Island, Salaut Besar Island, Raya Island, Rusa Island, Benggala Island and Rondo Island.

In conclusion, now we know that Indonesia is the largest archipelago state in the world which have 17.504 islands but only 13.466 of them was registered in United Nations. Indonesia also have 92 outer islands and only 31 of them have a population. Indonesia was neighboring with many country such as Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste in the land. While in the sea Indonesia was neighboring with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor Leste. Therefore, depends on Indonesia’s jurisdiction, it neighboring with Australia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Palau, India, Malaysia and Timor Leste.  It may be tiring to read and remember this article fully, but at least once in a life from now on, we already recognizing Indonesia’s border.

Sources:

Bappenas Report Pembangunan Kelautan dan Perikanan dalam Prioritas Pembangunan Nasional 2015 - 2019.2013. download at http://www.bappenas.go.id/files/2514/0374/8955/PEMBANGUNAN_KELAUTAN_DAN_PERIKANAN_DALAM_PRIORITAS_PEMBANGUNAN_NASIONAL_2015-2019_Jakarta_28_Januari_2014.pdf in Mei 29th 2015

Decentralization Support Facility. 2011. Rencana Induk Pengelolaan Batas Wilayah Negara dan Kawasan Perbatasan tahun 2011-2014. Download at http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2012/04/24/000020953_20120424131952/Rendered/PDF/682610WP0P11840rder0Areas0201102014.pdf in Mei 29th 2015

Peraturan Presiden RI No. 78 tahun 2005 about management of small outer Indonesia's island, download at http://hukum.unsrat.ac.id/pres/perpres_78_2005.pdf in Mei 29th 2015

Undang Undang No. 43 Tahun 2008 about Indonesia's territory, download at  http://hukum.unsrat.ac.id/uu/uu_43_2008.pdf , in Mei 29th 2015