Govt Increase Number Border Patrol Soldiers

Balikpapan (Antara Bali) - In 2012 the government plans to add an additional battalion of soldiers and build 15 new security checkpoints in West Kutai District, East Kalimantan, said an official here on Monday.

"We have only three security checkpoints in the West Kutai region," said Indonesian Army Regional Military Commander VI Mulawarman Major General Subekti.

With the proposed increase, there will be 1,300 soldiers along the border in West Kalimantan and 44 security checkpoints.

"The land boundary between Indonesia and Malaysia is still considered favorable. There have been no reports of border marks being removed," he added.

Starting on April 1, border patrol soldiers from 621/Manuntung squad have been assigned to the Army Strategic Reserve Command 413 Battalion headquartered in Bandung, West Java.(IGT)