REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara authority hopes that the Indonesia Government will soon hold discussions with its counterpart regarding the status of Naktuka, East Amfoang sub-district, bordering the Oecusse District, Timor-Leste.
Secretary of Kupang Regional Border Authority Thimotius Oktavianus stated here on Thursday that Indonesia might lose Naktuka area if the government does not adopt a serious approach and discuss the matter with Timor-Leste, since the country lacks the proprietary documents of the area.
"It is the time for the central government to start bilateral communication with the Timor-Leste government to discuss the status of Naktuna area, which is still called as a white zone by the local government," he remarked.
Oktavianus explained that Naktuna was inhabited by 54 family patriarchs who had closer ties with Timor-Leste after it separated from Indonesia and became an independent state.
He said that Timor-Leste might also have several documents that clearly explain that Naktuna is part of its territory since Portugal had also colonized the area.
When Timor-Timur (former Timor-Leste) was the 27th province of Indonesia, Naktuna was part of the provincial area, and hence, after its independence, all regions of the province became part of Timor-Leste's territory.
"Based on facts, Naktuna legally belongs to Timor-Leste after its independence on May 20, 2002," noted Oktavianus.
Oktavianus stated that since the white zone status is still applicable on Naktuna area, hence Timor-Leste and Indonesia were not committed to develop the area.
"Because of the white zone status, we have not yet intervened in the area, including its infrastructure development," he added.
Therefore, Oktavianus hoped that the central government will soon hold a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste to discuss the status of Naktuna, which has an area of 1,069 hectares.
Besides Naktuna, a similar case was also noted for Oepoli Island, which is located in the border area with Timor-Leste. But, Oktavianus stated that with regard to Oepoli's status, the government has legal documents and evidence that prove that it is part of Indonesia's territory.
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