Indonesia launches programme to develop border areas

Indonesian soldiers patrol the coastline of Miangas Island in Talaud Islands regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia's northernmost territory that shares the country’s maritime border with the Philippines. - Antara

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Two Cabinet ministers recently visited Indonesia’s northernmost regency in a show of the government’s commitment to maintaining territorial integrity and developing the economies of outlying regions, but experts say its commitment in the long term remains to be seen.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD and Home Minister Tito Karnavian on Tuesday (May 24) visited Miangas Island, the northernmost island in Talaud Islands regency, North Sulawesi, whose waters extend to the maritime border Indonesia shares with the Philippines.