"I think the Aruk cross-border post is the best as compared to the one in Entikong and in Badau. This is the best," the president noted.
Sambas, W Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo inaugurated an integrated cross-border post in Aruk, Sambas District, West Kalimantan Province, on Friday (March 17).

"Yesterday, I inaugurated an integrated cross-border post in Badau and another one three months earlier in Entikong. Today, we inaugurated another cross-border post in Aruk, Sambas District," the president stated here on Friday.

The Aruk integrated cross-border post is one of the three integrated posts in West Kalimantan besides Entikong in Sanggau District and Nanga Badau in Kapuas Hulu District, all of which lie on the border between Indonesia and Malaysia.

"The three integrated posts have a magnificent design, and all are located in West Kalimantan. To this day, I have visited West Kalimantan seven times. I want the border post in Aruk to be used by the people to promote local economic growth," the president remarked.

The president also expressed hope that the Aruk cross-border post will not only serve as a government office but also as an economic center for the people.

"Do not just use the immigration, quarantine, and customs offices. People can garner benefits from the cross-border post to boost the economy," the president affirmed.

According to the head of state, the Aruk cross-border post is the most magnificent one as compared to the other two in the province.

"I think the Aruk cross-border post is the best as compared to the one in Entikong and in Badau. This is the best," the president noted.

The Aruk cross-border post, with an area of 2.9 thousand square meters, is located on a 9.1-hectare plot of land. The post comprises a main building, integrated checking building, pump and generator house, warehouse, car wash, checkpoint, and other buildings.

The second phase of the posts construction will cover an area of 4.44 thousand square meters on a 17.99-hectare plot of land for houses for employees, rest areas, border markets, and a multipurpose building.

The design of Aruks cross-border post building is inspired by the traditional architecture of the Dayak Kalimantan tribe Rumah Panjang, which literally means a long house, while the ornamental designs on the main building draw inspiration from Dayaks traditional carving patterns.

If the construction proceeds according to plan, it is estimated that 240 people and 120 vehicles will daily pass through the Aruk cross-border post in 2020.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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