Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – The Indonesian government on Tuesday pledged to build more bridges in North Kalimantan, following reports that many residents in the border province prefer traveling to Malaysia due to poor domestic road infrastructure and limited connectivity.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa promised to allocate additional funding to improve transportation links in the country's northernmost province, which borders Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak states.
The announcement came in response to concerns raised by North Kalimantan Governor Zainal Paliwang, who said that a lack of bridges and reliable road access has led locals to shop, seek healthcare, and travel more easily to neighboring Malaysia than to other parts of Indonesia.
"He told me there are almost no bridges connecting key areas, so many residents end up going to Malaysia," Purbaya said after a meeting with regional governors in Jakarta. "I told him I'll ask the Public Works Ministry to build the bridges."
Purbaya estimated the initial budget requirement for the project at around Rp 150 billion ($9 million), though he noted that the exact amount will be finalized after discussions with the Public Works Ministry.
He said inter-ministerial teams will coordinate to review budget reallocation options for North Kalimantan and accelerate infrastructure development in the border region.
Purbaya stressed that infrastructure isn't just about roads and bridges – it's about improving connectivity, driving local economic growth, and showing that the state cares deeply about the welfare of people living in border areas.
North Kalimantan, which spans nearly 75,000 square kilometers, is one of Indonesia's least densely populated provinces, home to about 770,000 residents – or just 10 people per square kilometer. The province was officially formed in 2012, having previously been part of East Kalimantan.