By: Choirul Fuadi)*
CIDISS – Sebatik island is an island in the outer based on regulation President Republic of Indonesia Number 78 by 2015 with the coordinate points of the outermost 040 10 ‘ 00 U 1170 54 ‘ 00 T and leading Island Nation of the Republic of Indonesia (SO) as quoted from sebatiknews.com. The island is located in the province of North Kalimantan, and is the youngest Province in Indonesia.
Sebatik island is one of the world’s most unique concepts border Island, where zoning is based on a historical Treaty between the Netherlands and United Kingdom, Then the Sebatik Island area is divided into 2 parts, namely in the northern part of the Kingdom of Malaysia while in the southern part belongs to the Republic of Indonesia.
The uniqueness of this island is some proper houses are on the border of Sebatik Island so that the citizens of terrace House in the region of Indonesia while kitchen in Malaysia. Although the island is located in the territory of Indonesia, but it’s nearly all basic necessities supplied from neighboring countries.
Sebatik island was first inhabited and developed by the Bugis and almost 95% of the area is inhabited the Bugis. Most of these tribes have also inhabited the territory of the State of Sabah (Malaysia) so there is a very tight emotional relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.
In General, the most widely used language in Sebatik is bugis, even the language is also spoken in the city of Tawau (Malaysia) in the trading relationship between the citizens of Sebatik with citizens of Malaysia.
Sebatik Island consists of 5 district and 19 villages. District of Sebatik consists of the village of Padaidi, village of Sungai Manurung, the village of Tanjung Karang , and the village of Balansiku. West Sebatik district consists of the village of Sebatu, village Binalawan, Bambangan village , and the village Liang Bunyu . Central Sebatik district consist of Village of Sungai lime, the village Maspul, village of the Bukit Harapan and the village of Aji Kuning. North Sebatik district consist of Lapri village, Seberang village and Pancang village. Eastern Sebatik district consist of villages of Sungai Nyamuk, the village of Tanjung Harapan, the Villages of Bukit Harapan, and the village of Tanjung Aru.
Now, the residents of Sebatik Indonesia asked to Government in order to soon give the new autonomous region (DOB) to Sebatik. Naufal Fitriyansyah, Students who origin of Sebatik, said that district status make Sebatik Island who were in Indonesia to be less advanced.
“We ask the Government of Indonesia in order to immediately legalize DOB (new autonomous region) Sebatik. The status of town in Sebatik Island makes the island very difficult going forward, “he said.
He said, recently Sebatik island still have less the infrastructure, even compounded Sebatik also Have not yet have a hospital, so residents should seek treatment abroad Sebatik.
Naufal who was continuing education in Yogyakarta said that the Sebatik also don’t yet have a decent port is used to run the economy.
“The existence of the harbor is very vital for the community of Sebatik Island, because we rely on State of Malaysia,” said Naufal sadly.
Then, he and thousands of Sebatik people request the Government immediately give the new autonomous region.
