Behind the Silence of the State: The Collective Wounds from the Border's Edge (Tarakan)

We may never set foot in Tarakan, but what happens there should disturb our collective conscience. In these places, children have been found dead in refrigerators, women have been raped, fishermen have lost their rights, and people have been carried across hills because there’s no road to the hospital. For some, this is just a brief local news story that passes by on the timeline. But for those who live there, it’s a reality that continues to erode dignity and hope. This blog is written not to blame but to remind: that the collective wounds from the border regions are a shared failure of us all as a nation.

Tarakan, as one of the isolated border regions, is not only plagued by social and economic problems but also structural injustices that haunt the everyday lives of its people. Behind the visible poverty, there are deeper issues that have never been truly resolved.

One common phenomenon is the conflict between the Bugis and Tidung tribes in Tarakan. These conflicts are not just about ethnic differences but are more about resource disputes, social injustice, and unresolved social tensions. The government's inability to manage societal diversity and strengthen the awareness of living together has led to clashes that harm many parties. As a result, there is ongoing ethnic violence and social fear.

Not only violence stands out, but also malnutrition, which is a serious issue for many children in Tarakan, especially in Juata Permai. The lack of access to nutritious food and education about healthy eating habits has resulted in high stunting rates and other health problems among children. Despite government programs in place to tackle this, there are no effective mechanisms to reach isolated communities, making the solutions ineffective.

Tarakan also faces serious issues with drugs. Methamphetamine, a widespread drug, has destroyed many of the youth. Easy access to drugs and the lack of preventive education have led many into destructive behavior. Furthermore, crimes such as theft, rape, and child trafficking are often headline news. Without a strong security system and firm law enforcement, the weak and isolated residents become the victims.

The biggest unresolved problem is the government's failure to provide basic public services such as hospitals, schools, or adequate transportation access. In areas like Krayan and Sekatak, people have to travel for hours or even days to reach the nearest healthcare facilities. The existing hospitals often lack medical staff, equipment, and medicine. Meanwhile, schools in Tarakan and surrounding areas, particularly public elementary schools, lack basic facilities like desks and chairs, and budgets for such needs often have to go through long, complex bureaucratic processes.

Amidst the scarcity of facilities and services, sexual crimes such as the rape of girls, child abandonment, and child kidnapping continue to be persistent problems. These incidents often occur behind closed doors because the community fears reporting due to social stigma or a lack of trust in law enforcement. Even the presence of Islamic boarding schools is not free from issues, with cases of abuse against male children reflecting the weakness of child protection systems and oversight.

The portrayal of issues in Tarakan and other border regions reveals the fragility of social, economic, and legal conditions in neglected areas. When these problems do not receive serious attention from the central government, what happens is a spiral of injustice and violence that worsens the quality of life for the people. Residents who should be able to rely on the state for protection and welfare are left to struggle alone to survive.

With the depiction of these problems, we can better understand how conditions at the border are not just local issues but reflections of structural inequalities that exist in many other remote areas. These issues need more than just attention; they require real actions from all parties.

Root Causes: The conditions in Tarakan and other border areas didn’t emerge overnight. There are deeper root causes that we must identify and understand. Structural inequality, reflected in the disparity between the center and the periphery, is at the heart of various social, economic, and infrastructure problems faced by communities in these regions.

One of the main roots of inequality in Tarakan is the centralized development in Java and other major cities, while remote areas, especially those at the borders, are often neglected. Areas like Tarakan, which should be an integral part of Indonesia, are often forgotten in national development planning. The unequal distribution of resources, whether financial, infrastructural, or professional manpower, creates a widening gap between central and peripheral regions.

Basic infrastructure development such as roads, hospitals, schools, and other public services often prioritize areas with large populations and developed economies. As a result, regions like Tarakan and its surroundings are often isolated and forgotten. The communities there rely on natural resources, such as agarwood, for their livelihoods. However, dependency on natural resources without proper guidance leads to environmental destruction and unsustainable economic reliance.

In addition to development inequalities, slow and inefficient bureaucracy becomes one of the main barriers to resolving existing problems. Many policies issued by the central government are not followed by proper implementation at the local level. Lengthy and convoluted administrative processes often hinder aid and services from reaching those in need. Even when there are efforts to obtain assistance, such as submitting proposals for school facilities or development budgets, these often have to go through opaque procedures and can be influenced by local corruption practices.

This poor bureaucracy contributes to the failure of systems in managing social problems. Communities struggling to access healthcare, education, or even social assistance feel isolated and overlooked. The government’s inability to properly manage border areas makes many issues more complex and unsolvable.

Besides policy factors, geographic isolation also causes unequal development. Areas like Krayan and Sekatak face challenging geographical conditions, with regions located in mountainous or hard-to-reach areas. Limited transportation access and unfavorable natural conditions, such as steep terrain and the lack of proper roads, make life in these regions isolated. This not only hinders economic activities but also makes it difficult for residents to access healthcare, education, and other basic needs.

In such areas, basic infrastructure that we take for granted, such as proper roads, telecommunications, or stable electricity supply, is rare and much needed. Isolated communities are becoming further removed from government assistance, preventing them from developing and competing with communities in other regions.

The deeper root cause is the inability of the state to provide protection and justice for all citizens. The state exists only as an administrative entity, often failing to provide fair and equitable services, let alone protect the most vulnerable. Residents in remote areas not only suffer from economic injustice but also fall victim to human trafficking, exploitation, and violence without adequate protection.

Solution: After identifying the root causes affecting Tarakan and other border regions, we are left with an important question: What can be done to address the long-standing inequality and injustice? The answer to this question requires deep thought and a holistic approach, covering various aspects from government policies to community empowerment.

1. Equitable Development: Focus on Remote Areas Equitable development must be the main priority in national development agendas. Border areas, often neglected, need special attention in development planning. This includes not only infrastructure development like roads, bridges, and public facilities but also education and healthcare. The government needs to make policies that ensure these areas receive adequate and targeted budget allocations.

One approach that could be implemented is decentralizing the management of budgets and development. This would give local governments the opportunity to plan development according to local needs, rather than relying on central policies that often don’t suit local conditions. Additionally, existing programs should be adjusted to local potentials, such as developing resource-based industries sustainably, which would not harm the environment and improve residents' welfare.

2. Streamlining Bureaucracy and Improving Public Service Efficiency Addressing the slow and inefficient bureaucracy is crucial for improving current conditions. Lengthy and complicated administrative processes often prevent communities from accessing quality public services. Streamlining bureaucracy through digitalization and transparency could be key to speeding up service processes and reducing corruption practices.

A transparent and efficient government system will have a positive impact on the community. In addition, local government staff should be trained to improve the quality of public services and better understand the needs of the people.

3. Improving Infrastructure and Accessibility The geographic isolation faced by many regions in Tarakan and its surroundings can be overcome by building better basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity networks, and telecommunications systems. Infrastructure development that connects remote areas to economic centers will open up access for communities to better public services such as education and healthcare and facilitate the flow of goods and trade.

Additionally, more effective inter-region transportation development is necessary, considering the high transport costs that affect the mobility of residents. Cheaper and more efficient transportation solutions will improve access to public services and ease the distribution of goods and services to remote areas.

4. Community Empowerment and Civic Education To create sustainable change, community empowerment at the local level is essential. Civic education focusing on basic rights, participation in development, and the importance of social solidarity will strengthen collective responsibility in building the region. Communities aware of their rights and equipped with the skills to fight for them will be more capable of urging the government to pay attention to the issues they face.

Moreover, children's education should be a main focus in border areas. Providing quality education access, not only limited to elementary schools but also for secondary and vocational education, will open up greater opportunities for the younger generation to develop their potential and break the cycle of poverty.

5. Strengthening Security Systems and Law Enforcement The issues of violence, sexual crimes, and human trafficking in Tarakan and other regions highlight the inability of law enforcement to protect its citizens. Strengthening the security system and enforcing laws firmly is necessary to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, receives proper protection.

It’s also important to improve the judicial system by providing easier and more transparent access for communities to report crimes without fear of stigma or discrimination. Additionally, training and education for law enforcement officers to understand sensitive issues like child protection and gender-based violence is crucial to build public trust in law enforcement.

6. Collaboration Between Government and NGOs Addressing these complex issues cannot be done by the government alone. Collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector is necessary to create holistic and sustainable solutions. NGOs that focus on child protection, health, and social justice can support efforts to resolve existing issues in Tarakan.

7. Improving Data Collection and Research Finally, improving the data collection system is crucial to solving problems in Tarakan. The government needs accurate and comprehensive data on the population, their needs, and conditions in remote areas to develop effective policies. Collaboration with research institutions, universities, and international organizations will provide better insights into the challenges faced by these communities and improve the decision-making process.