ENTIKONG GARUDA STATUE: A MONUMENT OF STRENGTH AT THE INDONESIA–MALAYSIA BORDER

In 2018, I took a solo trip to several cities in Kalimantan, including the PLBN Entikong border tourist area. One of the famous tourist attractions that is an icon of the PLBN Entikong border is the Garuda Statue Monument. For those planning to visit this tourist attraction, please note that a passport is not required for entry.

Garuda Statue Monument PLBN Entikong, Indonesia-Malaysia Border Tourist Icon 

The Garuda Statue Monument itself is located in the PLBN Entikong area. It is located near the Immigration office and the Entikong border office. The central government grandly constructed this tourist attraction, allowing anyone passing through the Entikong border to take pictures with the statue, which is rich in meaning and philosophy related to Dayak tribal customs and culture.

The Entikong Border Area, also known as the Entikong State Border Crossing Point (PLBN), is one of the borders that has been built on a large scale and with great grandeur by the central government since 2016. This is because it is one of the main entry points for foreign tourists to Indonesia via land.

One way to introduce Indonesia to travelers crossing the border is by constructing the Garuda Statue Monument as a national symbol and a source of pride for Indonesia. The Garuda Statue Monument at the Entikong PLBN is the primary icon and attraction in the Entikong border area.

This statue monument was built in the shape of the Garuda emblem, which represents Indonesia's strength and power. It is characterized by a unique design that reflects the local wisdom of the Dayak tribe. The Garuda Statue Monument was built on both sides of the entrance facing Indonesia and Malaysia.

The material used for the building is no joke, as it uses a special material in the form of natural andesite stone. The Garuda statue itself is made of natural stone, carved directly by sculptors from Tuban, at a cost of approximately 1 billion rupiah. This brings the total cost of constructing the Garuda Statue Monument at the Entikong PLBN to 2 billion rupiah.

The Garuda Statue Monument has become the most popular tourist spot in the Entikong border area. Usually, while waiting for the immigration check process or for the immigration office to open, tourists passing by will take photos at this place. Due to its unique and magnificent design, and as an icon of the Entikong border, it is no wonder that many tourists are willing to queue up to take photos. For tourists, it also serves as proof that they have passed through one of Indonesia's magnificent borders.

The Garuda Statue Monument, a popular tourist attraction on the border, was constructed in 2016 as part of the central government's border tourism development program. This tourist attraction is also surrounded by the pristine forests of Kalimantan, so while taking photos with the monument, tourists can also capture pictures of the surrounding forest in this border area. Alternatively, consider documenting life on the border between Indonesia and Malaysia.

How to Get to the Garuda Statue Monument at the Entikong Border Crossing

First, by using a private vehicle. This vehicle is free to cross or reach PLBN Entikong. Of course, if you want to cross, you must use a passport. Second, by using the Pontianak-PLBN Entikong (PP) or Malaysia-PLBN Entikong (PP) travel service. This travel service does not cross the border, either from Indonesia or Malaysia, only reaching the border or PLBN Entikong.

Third, by public bus. At that time, there were government-owned buses, namely Damri, which served Ambawang-Malaysia (PP) and Ambawang-Brunei Darussalam (PP). Or Malaysian-owned buses with routes Malaysia-Ambawang (PP) and Brunei Darussalam-Ambawang (PP). Unfortunately, the departure schedules and number of buses are still minimal.

These buses depart twice a day, at 08:00 WIB and 20:00 WIB, from the Ambawang International Bus Terminal. The distance from the Ambawang Terminal to the Entikong PLBN area takes around 5-7 hours, including a 30-60 minute break.

Meanwhile, if departing from Malaysia, the bus will depart from the Kuching Sentral bus terminal (Malaysia), and the distance from Kuching to the Entikong border is around 2-3 hours. Unlike the Miri terminal from Brunei Darussalam, the distance to the Entikong border takes a very long time, around 24-26 hours, including breaks and meals.

Location

Entikong Border Tourism is located at Jl. Lintas Malindo, Entikong, Entikong District, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan 78557. It is located in the Entikong PLBN border area, specifically at the Entikong immigration entrance and exit, accessible from either the front or the rear.

Entrance fee

Free

Operating hours

This artificial tourist attraction can be enjoyed 24 hours a day, provided you view it from the outside. However, to take photos in front of the statue itself, you can only do so between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which coincides with the operating hours of the Entikong Immigration Office. After that, the border gate will be locked from both Indonesia and Malaysia.

To get the best photos, be sure to visit during the day, as the weather is usually sunny. Although it is still clear in the afternoon, tourists will also get a view of the green surroundings along the border during the day. Additionally, it is often foggy in the late afternoon.

Nearby tourist attractions

• Rumah Panca
• Punti Tapau Waterfall
• Entikong Modern Market
• Mount Tiong Kondang
• Rumah Betang Raya Dori Mpulor
• Sabang Merah Area
• Sosek Malindo (annual)
• Border Festival (annual)
• Titian Muhibah (annual)
• Gawai Dayak (annual)
• Sarawak/Kuching, Malaysia/Brunei Darussalam (passport required)

Travel Experience to the Garuda Statue Monument at Entikong PLBN

I went on a solo trip to this border tourist attraction in 2018. Departing from Jakarta, I took a flight and landed at Supadio Airport in Pontianak. I took an afternoon flight. The flight took about 2 hours. 

I planned to take the last bus of the night to PLBN Entikong, around 9:00 p.m., so that I could sleep during the trip. From Pontianak Airport, I continued using online transportation to the Ambawang International Terminal, which took about 30-45 minutes.

Actually, I could have used a travel service, but because I wanted to get there faster, I decided to use an online motorcycle taxi. This is because if I used a travel service, I would have had to wait until it was full. At the Ambawang International Terminal, several bus options are available to reach the Entikong border crossing, and the fares are all the same.

There are several bus options available, including Damri buses, Malaysian buses, and buses from Brunei Darussalam. These buses will end their routes according to their respective countries. For example, Malaysian buses will terminate in Kuching, Malaysia, and so will buses from Brunei Darussalam.

All of these buses will pass through and stop at the Entikong border crossing for passport checks. So you are free to choose any bus. From the Ambawang international terminal, I chose a bus owned by the Indonesian government, namely the Damri bus. Damri buses tend to be less crowded, so my night trip was certainly not disturbed. 

Unlike the Malaysian and Brunei Darussalam buses, which are usually full, making it difficult to sleep during the journey. This is due to the noise from passengers chatting, as well as the loud music. This may help the driver stay awake and avoid boredom. The driver and passengers also often chat loudly. 

Not bad, but it comes down to personal preference. I prefer a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. This is based on my experience of traveling back and forth more than 10 times on different buses to the Entikong border crossing. How did I end up traveling 10 times? I'll explain in my next article. Speaking of cost, at that time it was around Rp160,000 to get to the Entikong border crossing.

Tickets for this cross-border bus can be purchased directly on site or booked in advance by phone. Since it is rarely full and there are many options, I advise against booking in advance, purchase it on-site when you arrive at this cross-border terminal.

At that time, I paid for my bus ticket. However, I also saw several ticket counters for the bus companies, where you can purchase tickets. The terminal is quite spacious and comfortable, with dining areas, prayer facilities, and waiting rooms.

The journey to the Entikong PLBN border tourist area takes about 5-7 hours, with excellent road conditions. During the day, you will be treated to views of the lush Kalimantan forest along the way. The bus usually stops for about an hour at a restaurant for a meal and a prayer break.

I arrived at PLBN Entikong around 3 a.m. The border post was still closed, so I continued sleeping on the bus while waiting for it to open. Some passengers slept, while others got off and enjoyed coffee or other food at the stalls near the border gate. 

At precisely 7 a.m., the Entikong PLBN gate opened. After praying at a nearby mosque, I immediately started hunting for photos. At that time, the facilities around this artificial tourist attraction were still under construction. However, the Garuda Statue Monument was already standing firmly in place.

I was lucky to be there when it was not too crowded, unlike now, because it was still under construction. The only people taking photos at this place were local people crossing from Indonesia to Malaysia or Brunei Darussalam, and vice versa. There were still a few tourists.

Nowadays, many tourists deliberately visit this border tourist attraction, making it increasingly crowded, alternatively, people who want to travel to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, or vice versa.

This includes tourists from other countries who want to visit Indonesia via Malaysia, deliberately crossing through the Entikong border by land to see the natural beauty of the Entikong border area first, and also explore Kalimantan before continuing their journey to other parts of Indonesia.

After enjoying the sights and taking various photos in the Entikong border tourism area, both in front and behind, I queued at the Malaysian immigration section, as I planned to continue to Malaysia. There are actually many tourist attractions around the Entikong border, but I decided to go to Malaysia first. At the Malaysian immigration, I had a unique experience.

My photo in my passport was very dark, while my actual skin tone is fair. It was checked several times, and I was mistaken for a migrant worker by the Malaysian immigration officer. I was interrogated for a long time and asked to show various documents. Fortunately, I had a magic letter. At first, I didn't want to show the document, but I had no choice. Eventually, they apologized and allowed me to skip the queue.

That was my solo travel experience to the Entikong border tourist area in West Kalimantan. I took the Damri bus from the Ambawang terminal and then explored the surrounding tourist attractions using public transportation owned by Indonesia and Malaysia. 

An extraordinary experience, solo traveling to a border area and a foreign province. I even participated in voluntourism for about three months in this border area. Curious about other tourist attractions in Kalimantan? Stay tuned.

Has anyone visited the Garuda Statue Monument in the Entikong border tourist area? Feel free to share in the comments section.