Extra troops deployed to Malaysia border

The Tanjungpura Military Area Command in East Kalimantan has deployed 650 personnel from the 611/Awanglong Infantry Battalion to the Malaysia border for special security duties, Media Indonesia reported.

The 650 personnel departed from Samarinda on August 12 aboard KM Tidar and were scheduled to stop at Tarakan before arriving at Nunakan.

Maj. Achmad Amin said the troops would be tasked to protect areas near the disputed Unarang Reef in the Ambalat Block as well as general security in response to terrorism developments.

Nunukan regency in East Kalimantan is a major transit area for members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist network, JI’s former Kalimantan chief Nasir Abbas has said.

Abbas said Nunukan is favored by militants because it directly links Indonesia, Malaysia and other neighboring countries where JI has set up operations, Tempo Interactive reported.

“Aside from being strategically located, security in Nunukan is lax compared to neighboring regencies,” he said.

In Central Kalimantan, the Army will create two new battalions to increase the military’s presence in the region, Army officials said.

According to Panju Panjung Army commander Col. Rudiono Edi, Battalion 632 Panglima Batur will be based in Muara Teweh, North Barito regency with 1,000 soldiers while Battalion 633 will be based in Pangkalan Bun, West Kotawaringin regency.

Edi also said the Army will also create a district military base in Gunung Mas regency and a sub-district military command in Murung Raya regency.

The creation of the new battalions and bases is aimed at protecting the sovereignty of Indonesia’s border areas, said Edi.