IndonesianTalk.com — ANTARA, Sebatik residents prepare for World Cup final watch party on Indonesia-Malaysia border
NUNUKAN, North Kalimantan — The state-run news agency ANTARA and residents of Sebatik Island, Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan, are preparing to hold a public viewing of the World Cup final, bringing the excitement of the tournament to one of Indonesia’s outermost regions bordering Malaysia.
The event, which will feature the final match between Argentina and Spain, is being organized as part of ANTARA’s contribution to celebrating the global football spectacle while strengthening social ties among residents of the border community.
ANTARA president director Beny Siga Butarbutar said the watch party in Sebatik reflected the agency’s commitment to bringing national and international events closer to communities across the country, including those living in Indonesia’s frontier regions.
The preparations have been underway for the past week, involving local youths, community leaders and village officials to ensure that the event runs safely and smoothly. ANTARA has also collaborated with a telecommunications provider to help ensure a stable signal during the match.
The watch party will be centered in front of the iconic Rumah Dua Negara, or “Two Nations House,” a popular tourist attraction in Sebatik that can accommodate more than 100 spectators.
Organizers have prepared a large screen, projector, sound system, seating and backup electricity supplies to anticipate possible disruptions during the match.
The event is also expected to provide an economic boost to local residents. Organizers have invited micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate, allowing local vendors to sell their products to spectators.
Door prizes will also be provided to add to the festive atmosphere.
For many residents, the event carries significance beyond football. It will be the first public World Cup watch party held in the area, creating a rare space for residents of the border community to gather and interact.
The enthusiasm has been evident in the preparations. Residents have helped install tent poles and other equipment to ensure that the venue is ready to accommodate spectators.
“We are very happy because this is the first time there has been a public watch party here in Sebatik,” one resident said.
Sebatik Island is one of Indonesia’s outermost islands and is administratively part of Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan. The island shares a direct border with Malaysia’s Sabah state.
In the region, public activities involving residents from border communities often carry significance beyond the event itself, serving as a space for social interaction and reinforcing a sense of togetherness and national identity in one of Indonesia’s most strategically important frontier areas.
