Berhala Island is an island located in the Malacca Strait. The area is about 14.75 hectares. Its location is one of the outer islands bordering Malaysia Peninsula.

Because of its location, Pulau Berhala is guarded as part of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

We call them as the 25th Outermost Island Security Task Force (Pam Puter) with 34 personnel consisting of 24 Marines and 10 Army members from the Infantry Battalion 122/TS (Tombak Sakti) of Pematang Siantar. Their job is to patrol every day in and out of the forest to the shoreline. They will serve for nine months before being replaced with the next task force.

Being a member of the Pam Puter Task Force certainly has a deep impression on them, one of which is being away from family. The difficulty of the signal on the island made them have to go up the hill to the building which they think was sufficient to catch the signal.

With one smart phone, they will share internet signals to simply ask how their family and loved ones are doing. In addition, playing volleyball with other members is another way to relieve boredom.

Serving as guardians of the outermost islands does not only guard against external threats, but also maintains the sustainability of the ecosystem in the area which they live in, including by making captivity for turtle conservation so that balance is created.

Photo & Text: Muhammad Adimaja

Editor: Widodo S Jusuf