Politics · Indonesia · 4 hrs ago
Maruli Simanjuntak Takes Over Indonesia’s Border and Remote Areas Agency
Maruli Simanjuntak took over Indonesia’s border agency from Interior Minister Tito Karnavian at a handover in Jakarta on October 19.
President Prabowo Subianto had appointed Maruli as deputy military chief and head of the agency on October 15.
The agency has been expanded from the National Border Management Agency, or BNPP, into the National Border and Remote Areas Management Agency, or BNPPDT, with broader responsibilities.
Its work includes developing border regions and improving residents’ welfare, resolving disputes with neighboring countries, and managing border posts.
The government says stronger local welfare can support national unity and help protect border areas from outside infiltration.
Maruli said he would focus on border and remote areas and continue work already under way while improving what needs attention.
Maruli Simanjuntak took over as head of Indonesia’s National Border Management Agency and Remote Areas Agency (BNPPDT) from Interior Minister Tito Karnavian.
The handover took place at the agency’s office in Jakarta on October 19, 2026.
President Prabowo Subianto appointed Maruli to the role alongside his appointment as deputy commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces on October 15.
The change marked the expansion of the former National Border Management Agency (BNPP) to include remote areas.
Maruli said he would focus on managing border and remote areas and improving residents’ welfare.
- Who
- Maruli Simanjuntak took over from Interior Minister Tito Karnavian.
- What
- Maruli received the duties and responsibilities of head of BNPPDT.
- When
- October 19, 2026. President Prabowo appointed him to the role on October 15.
- Where
- The BNPP office in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Why
- The handover followed Maruli’s appointment by President Prabowo. The sources do not state a specific reason for the appointment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
President Prabowo Subianto appointed Maruli as deputy commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces and head of BNPPDT.
Tito Karnavian handed over the headship and responsibilities of BNPPDT to Maruli at the agency’s office in Jakarta.
- Incoming head
- Maruli Simanjuntak
- Outgoing head
- Tito Karnavian
- Handover date
- October 19, 2026
- Handover location
- BNPP office, Jakarta
- Appointment date
- October 15, 2026
- Expanded agency
- National Border Management Agency and Remote Areas Agency (BNPPDT)
3 sources
What people are saying
I have high hopes that under General Maruli, who has a lot of experience and remains deputy commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, the tasks of BNPP, now including remote areas, will be more effective.
We will continue what has been completed and what is in progress, as well as what needs to be improved.