The Practice of Nation Character Building in Border Communities: A Case Study in Sebatik Island, North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

The Border Region of the State is the front porch that describes the existence of a country in the presence of another country. High dependence on neighboring countries can affect the loyalty of its citizens so that the Border Region is often associated with the nationalism of its weak citizens. This study aims to examine the practice of nationalism of the Indonesian-Malaysian border community on sebatik island, North Kalimantan province which is directly adjacent to Sabah, Malaysia. Easy accessibility leads to high intensity of social interaction between people in two different countries of nationality. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method using Nationalism theory and Border theory. The results showed that Nation Character Building in sebatik island border communities is realized through the practice of daily life oriented to the interests of the nation and the State in various aspects, namely economic, Political, Educational, and Social. In economic aspects, the practice of nationalism is realized through the role of some local entrepreneurs in Sebatik in presenting Indonesian Shops to compensate for the Hegemony of Foreign Products and the use of Foreign Currencies (Malaysia), Political Aspects are realized by the political participation of sebatik people in the general election as a form of loyalty to the State, The education aspect is realized by the role of Education activists in presenting Tapal Batas School as a special Nationalism Education school for Indonesian Labor children in Malaysia located in Sebatik, Social Aspects are realized by the Existence of BERJOKO Youth in building harmonious social relations between communities with different ethnicities and religions in Sebatik as a barometer of national strength. The practice of Sebatik Community Nationalism can strengthen the Sovereignty of the State at the Border.