By Dayak Daily Team,Editor NL

Copyright dayakdaily

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 20: The ringgit breaking the Rp4,000-per-ringgit mark against the rupiah in Pontianak has become more than just a currency statistic—it is reshaping the flow of travellers and shoppers across the Sarawak–West Kalimantan border.

For many Sarawakians, the stronger ringgit stretches further when visiting Pontianak, Singkawang or other West Kalimantan towns. Meals, accommodation and shopping are now cheaper in relative terms.

But for Indonesians who for years have treated Kuching as a familiar weekend getaway or shopping destination, the exchange rate has turned what was once affordable into a costly undertaking.

“Last year the exchange rate was still below Rp3,500, but now it has crossed Rp4,000,” a Pontianak resident, Jimmy, told the media.

He said his family, who used to drive to Kuching at least once a month, are now reconsidering their trips.

“It’s not only about the cost for ourselves, but also the expectation to bring home souvenirs for family and friends,” he added.

Checks by Indonesian outlets found the official exchange rate at Rp3,956.20 per ringgit, with money changers in Pontianak quoting between Rp3,985 and Rp4,000. Some private bank websites listed rates as high as Rp4,094 per ringgit.

For Kuching retailers, hotels and eateries, fewer Indonesian visitors could mean a noticeable dip in business, particularly on weekends when cross-border travellers form a familiar presence.

At the same time, the higher rate may encourage more Sarawakians to head across the border, tilting the flow of spending in the opposite direction.

Whether temporary or sustained, the Rp4,000 mark has underscored how currency swings directly shape borderland life—influencing travel habits, shopping patterns and the rhythm of people-to-people ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. – DayakDaily