Entikong, W Kalimantan (ANTARA  News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro admitted Saturday the country is still facing many border problems, ranging from socio-economic development to inadequate infrastructure.

"Border issues are related not only to defense but also to socio-economic problems. And we will accommodate and study them to seek their solution because they involve many ministries," he said after visiting Entikong bordering Malaysia`s Tebedu.

He said about 200 km of the 1,000 km long Indonesia-Malaysia border in West Kalimantan were until now not being guarded.

"Only 800 km of the 1,000 km long border are guarded by personnel based at 31 security posts, while the remaining 200 km are still unguarded," he said.

In addition, the roads along the 200 km border were still far from adequate, he said.
"The government can certainly not allow this condition to continue. We will pay attention to the border areas by taking special steps, including providing special allowances for soldiers stationed in border areas and raising their salaries starting in 2010," he said.

He said the president would soon issue a regulation on special allowances for soldiers assigned to border areas and outlying islands.

But the amount of the special allowances was still under discussion, he said.
West Kalimantan, with a population of 165,915, consists of five districts, 15 subdistricts and 116 villages. Most of the local people earn their living as farmers, workers and fishermen.

The minister was during the visit accompanied by military chief of staff for general affairs Rear Admiral Didik Heru Purnomo, the defense ministry`s director general of defense potentials Budi Susilo Supandji, and assistant for operations to the military chief Maj Gen Supiadin. (*)