VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesia-Malaysia Border Security Task Force of the Infantry Battalion 407PK has tightened surveillance of illegal roads in anticipation of illegal activities ahead of New Year’s Eve in Kapuas Hulu district, West Kalimantan, bordering Malaysia.

"We have stepped up border patrol, particularly on illegal roads, and conducted a sweep along the border road to anticipate illegal activities," head of the task force, Lt Col. Catur, said here on Tuesday.

He said the road along the Indonesia-Malaysia border in Kapuas Hulu is prone to illegal activities, including smuggling of goods between Indonesia and Malaysia.

To prevent smuggling, the task force has stepped up patrols and sweeps to inspect goods carried by motorists along the border road, particularly ahead of New Year’s Eve, he said.

“We are also coordinating with several parties including police, customs agency, and other border officers," Catur informed.

He said the task force has foiled illegal activities several times since he was assigned to the Indonesia-Malaysia border in the eastern part of West Kalimantan three months ago.

Indonesia has decided to temporarily close its borders from January 1, 2021 to prevent the entry of foreign nationals in view of the spread of a new coronavirus strain in some parts of the world.

"[We are] Temporarily closing Indonesian borders, from January 1 to 14 of 2021, for foreign nationals from all countries," Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, said at an online media conference on Monday.

The regulation was made after a limited cabinet meeting earlier the same day, and will be officially enacted later through a new circular letter from the COVID-19 task force.

Foreign nationals arriving in Indonesia up to December 31, 2020 may be allowed to enter the country if they show negative results on a PCR test from their point of origin. The test should have been issued a maximum of 48 hours before departure. Visitors will also have to take an additional PCR test on arrival.

After the test, they will be required to undergo a five-day isolation and take another PCR test later, Marsudi informed.

"If the results are all negative, then the visitors would be allowed to continue their trip," she added. (antaranews)