BALINEWSID.COM, LABUAN BAJO – Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has officially commenced the construction of State Apartment Buildings (Rumah Susun Negara) Type D and Type E at the Class II Immigration Office with Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) in Labuan Bajo, marking a significant step toward improving the welfare of immigration officers and strengthening public immigration services.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on July 17, 2026, was led by the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Saroha Manullang, symbolizing the start of the housing project for immigration personnel stationed in the region.

The initiative forms part of the Directorate General of Immigration’s commitment to enhancing supporting infrastructure for civil servants while improving the quality of public services by providing safe, comfortable, and representative housing for officers serving at the Labuan Bajo Immigration Office.

The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Class II TPI Labuan Bajo Immigration Office, Charles C. Mathaus, representatives of the West Manggarai Regency Government, the Indonesian Navy, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the District Court, the District Prosecutor’s Office, the National Land Agency (BPN), Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Customs and Excise, the Ruteng Tax Office, the Administrative Court (PTUN), village representatives, religious leaders, traditional leaders, as well as project contractors, consultants, and immigration officials.

In his remarks, Saroha Manullang emphasized that the construction of the state apartment complex reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants.

“This project is not merely about constructing a building; it is about laying the foundation for greater employee welfare and stronger immigration services. When our officers have decent living conditions, they can perform their duties more effectively and deliver fast, professional, and integrity-driven services to the public,” he said.

He also stressed that the success of the project should not only be measured by the completion of construction but also by the long-term quality and benefits of the facility. He called on all parties involved to ensure the project is completed on schedule, within budget, meets quality standards, remains fully accountable, and prioritizes workplace safety.

The groundbreaking ceremony began with a traditional cultural ritual followed by a joint prayer before Saroha Manullang and distinguished guests symbolically laid the first stone, officially launching the construction works.

The project is expected to provide adequate housing, particularly for immigration officers assigned from outside the region, enabling them to carry out their duties more comfortably in one of Indonesia’s strategic tourism destinations.

The new residential facility is also expected to strengthen organizational performance and support immigration services in Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s international gateways and a designated Super Priority Tourism Destination.

Through the launch of this project, the Directorate General of Immigration reaffirmed its commitment to delivering excellent public services by investing in human resources and sustainable infrastructure development, while strengthening collaboration between the central government, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure the project is completed successfully and benefits both immigration personnel and the public.