The entire 1,881-kilometer land border between Indonesia and Malaysia is located on the island of Borneo, a line that cuts through some of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. This is a frontier defined by its wild, remote setting and the rich indigenous cultures that have inhabited the land for centuries.
The primary and most accessible crossing for you is at Entikong in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, which connects to Tebedu in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. This crossing lies on the main highway linking the major cities of Kuching and Pontianak. While several other very remote crossings exist, Entikong-Tebedu is the only one equipped to handle international travelers with relative ease.
The journey to and from this border is a deep immersion into the Bornean landscape. The infrastructure has been significantly upgraded in recent years, transforming a once-rough track into a modern highway, but the feeling of remoteness persists. The border post itself is a surprisingly large and modern facility in the middle of the jungle.
This border divides the island but not necessarily the people. The Dayak communities, the indigenous people of Borneo, live on both sides of the line, sharing languages and customs. The crossing is a key trade route but also a passage through an ancient cultural landscape.