1,000 Border Residents Participate in 'Kuali Merah Putih' Grand Cooking Event at Aruk Border Post
The Aruk Integrated Border Post (PLBN) served as the centre for the ‘Kuali Merah Putih’ Grand Cooking event, an initiative led by YouTuber Bobon Santoso and the Kuali Merah Putih Team, in collaboration with the Yon Arhanud 1/PBC/1 Kostrad Border Security Task Force. The large-scale cooking activity, centred at the Aruk PLBN area, acted as a meeting point for various elements of society, including the Indonesian National Police and Military (TNI-Polri), the Sambas Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), Aruk PLBN officers, representatives of the Sambas Sultanate, students from the Sajingan Besar District, as well as local customary, religious, and community leaders.
The Head of Aruk PLBN, Viktorius Dunand, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between Bobon Santendo, the Kuali Merah Putih Team, and the Border Security Task Force. He noted that the event brings positive impacts to border communities, both socially and in strengthening patriotism. “Through activities like this, we hope that cross-sector cooperation continues to flourish and is able to strengthen the spirit of unity and integrity among the people at the nation’s forefront,” Viktorius stated on Tuesday (9/6/2026).
In addition to the large-scale cooking, the series of social activities included free health screenings, blood donations, and mass circumcision for children, held on Sunday (7/6). The event was met with great enthusiasm from the community as it provided direct benefits while strengthening social care in the border region.
Bobon Santoso expressed his happiness at being able to engage directly with the people of Sajingan Besar. According to him, the Kuali Merah Putih Grand Cooking is not merely a culinary event, but a medium for sharing and instilling national values. “The presence of the Kuali Merah Putih Grand Cooking here is expected to provide an impact and benefit to the entire community. I am very happy to be directly in the border area and share happiness with the residents,” said Bobon.
The festivities were further enhanced by Dayak cultural performances and attractions by the Tariu Borneo Bangkule Rajank (TBBR) traditional group, highlighting local cultural richness as part of the national identity. As an expression of environmental concern, the event included the symbolic planting of matoa tree seedlings in the Aruk PLBN Tourism Market area, performed by members of the Forkopimda, the military, Bobon Santoso, and the Head of Aruk PLBN.
The event culminated in the distribution of the cooked food to approximately 1,000 border residents in attendance. The enthusiasm of the residents demonstrates that the Aruk PLBN functions not only as a national gateway but also as a space for togetherness that delivers tangible benefits. Through this activity, the Aruk PLBN, managed by the Indonesian National Border Management Agency (BNPP), reaffirms its role as a vibrant and warm frontier of the Republic of Indonesia, characterised by the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong).