REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo revealed that there are seven problems faced by border residents.

"It is hard to prevent traditional cross border due to cross border activities in traditional culture, customs and descent," said Tjahjo in a national seminar 'Development of Border Regions 2015', on Thursday, May 28.

Tjahjo who is also Chairman of the National Agency for Border Management (BNPP) said there was wrong paradigm and consider the border region as a 'backyard' region of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). This paradigm makes border areas become isolated and underdeveloped areas.

Besides, there was a development gap with neighbouring countries, the border areas of community life which infrastructure poor that made people oriented to neighbouring countries.

Therefore, Tjahjo asserted, upholding state sovereignty should be enforced. Its implementation should involve a variety of elements and stakeholders.

In addition, the awareness of border citizens who feel the government was present in their midst determine the creation of the territorial integrity of Indonesia.

"Decreasing of nationalism border residents can be seen and proven by border residents which were not remember to pronounce Pancasila, the national anthem Indonesia Raya, and prefer to use foreign currency instead of rupiah," he said.

Regent of Entikong Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Supaman revealed, to increase the sense of nationalism and love of country, he paid a visit to villages in the region. He admitted to visiting the villages followed by staying a few days.

"Because, our presence in border villages is the presence of the Indonesian government," said Suparman.

Suparman disclosed, the problems faced by the citizens at the border were clean water, electricity and infrastructure. "Currently there are villages in Entikong who do not get electricity," said Suparman.

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