Heaptalk, Belu—The Motaain Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has established a crucial coordination with the Director General of Timor Leste National Intelligence De Longhuinhos Monteiro in preparation for Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste (03/27).
A High Mass will be held during Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste on September 9-11, 2024. This agenda has the potential to significantly increase inter-country travelers heading to Timor Leste, considering that Catholics dominate East Nusa Tenggara society. The discussion was also attended by representatives of Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) at PLBN Motaain, Diplomats, and CIQS Coordinators at Batugade Post, Timor Leste.
Wilhelmus Mone conveyed several matters of concern to PLBN Motaain, which were agreed upon at the BNPP coordination meeting with CIQS PLBN Motaain (03/25). BNPP and CIQS, who work at PLBN Motaain, will facilitate and provide services according to applicable regulations to pilgrims from Indonesia who will attend Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste.
PLBN Motaain also expects support for crossing services from Batugade Post, Timor Leste, for Indonesian pilgrims who will take part in religious activities in Dili, Timor Leste and asks for information regarding crossing requirements and procedures as material for outreach to Indonesian citizens of the Atambua Diocese who will pass through to Timor Leste. “Including informing them about luggage restrictions when returning to Indonesia,” Wilhelmus said.
He hopes that Timor Leste can reactivate the use of cross-border passes. The Indonesian government would be glad if each country could activate the cross-border pass for social, family, and religious needs. “This can also facilitate pilgrims who want to go to Dili but don’t have a passport,” he explained.
Wilhelmus Mone delivered that regarding the construction of PLBN Napan and PLBN Oepoli development plan, the Timor Leste Government is expected to pay attention to residents of the Indonesia-Timor Leste border in Napan and East Amfoang and provide the same attention, primarily in Oesilo.
Aligned with Wilhelmus Mone’s statement, the Immigration Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili, Andhika Pandu Kurniawan, also emphasized that pilgrims visiting Timor Leste must have a travel document, namely a passport.
In addition, Andhika expects that the Timor Leste Government can reactivate the Cross-Border Pass. To support the smoothness of Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste, Immigration is currently holding an internal meeting to issue a travel document that can be integrated back-to-back between Indonesian Immigration and Timor Leste Immigration. This document is intended explicitly for pilgrims participating in Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste.
Meanwhile, the Director General of National Intelligence for Timor Leste, Longinus Monteiro, said that he would fight to activate the Cross-Border Pass with the leadership in Dili, Timor Leste. His party will also hold a follow-up coordination meeting to discuss the preparations for Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste in more detail.
Longinus also said that due to the inadequate condition of other border gates, PLBN Motaain was designated as the only land border gate to Timor Leste during Pope Francis’ visit. “During Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste, 25,000-30,000 pilgrims will come from NTT. In this regard, both countries need to prepare strategies to prevent a buildup of visitors,” concluded Longinus.
