Seret Ayon – A small settlement in Tebas subdistrict of Sambas regency
Seret Ayon is a small settlement located on the western coast of West Kalimantan province, in Tebas subdistrict of Sambas regency. The area is one of the oldest colonized regions of the Kalimantan (Borneo) island, possessing rich geographic and cultural diversity. Sambas regency comprises approximately 4.36 percent of the entire West Kalimantan province and has nearly 654,000 residents as of the first half of 2025. The settlement lies at the edge of the regency, within Tebas subdistrict, which is one of the characteristic small communities of the Indonesian Borneo region.
General overview
Seret Ayon is not considered a widely known tourist destination, but rather a local community belonging to Tebas subdistrict of Sambas regency. The subdistrict is one of 19 subdistricts in Sambas regency, and the area forms an integral part of the regency's western coastline. Seret Ayon, like most small Indonesian settlements, is a community tied to local agriculture and fishing. The Indonesian Borneo region is characterized by intensive jungles and a network of rivers, features typical of Sambas regency as well. According to its coordinates (1.0804472° north latitude, 109.3188387° east longitude), the settlement is located near the equator and in proximity to the Indian Ocean. Throughout the year, tropical, very humid climate prevails across nearly the entire territory of West Kalimantan, with two dry and two rainy periods. Local infrastructure is less developed compared to larger Indonesian settlements, however adequate road connections to the Tebas subdistrict center in Sambas regency are provided.
Real estate and investment
Seret Ayon and its immediate surroundings belong to the rural, less developed areas from a real estate market perspective, where property prices are significantly lower than in Indonesian major cities or in areas more open to tourism. The real estate market of Sambas regency as a whole operates primarily on the basis of local demand and family ownership, which is characteristic of small settlements in Indonesian Borneo. Over the past decades, West Kalimantan province has received gradual development and infrastructure investments, which in the longer term could affect property values, though this process is slow. At the Seret Ayon level, opportunities for personal real estate investment are limited, as the settlement is small and operates based on local demand. For foreigners, under Indonesian law land ownership is generally not available; however, long-term lease contracts (with terms of up to 80 years) or specific investment rights are possible in certain cases, though these are more common in larger, more developed settlements and in locations important for tourism. In the rural parts of Sambas regency, this type of investment activity is much rarer. Building practices in rural areas typically adapt to local constraints, and administrative and licensing procedures are organized at the Sambas regency level.
Safety and security
The Indonesian Borneo region is characterized by endemic crime levels that vary across urban and regional levels. Sambas regency, of which Seret Ayon is part, lies in western West Kalimantan province, which is generally stable and safe when compared to certain neighboring Indonesian regions. Rural small settlements like Seret Ayon can be characterized by lower crime rates compared to major cities, since strong local community ties and family and workplace relationships directly influence social order. According to criminal statistics from recent years, Sambas regency does not rank among the highest crime-rate regencies in West Kalimantan province. Minor community conflicts, smuggling activities, or disorganized property crimes do occur in rural areas, as is generally characteristic of Indonesian rural regions. The Indonesian police force is present in Tebas subdistrict, ensuring the capacity for basic order maintenance. Well-functioning information networks among local communities and the small population's mutual acquaintance represent additional security factors in small settlements.
Tourist attractions
Seret Ayon itself does not possess documented, internationally known tourist attractions. However, the settlement and its immediate surroundings are located in proximity to the natural and cultural resources of the broader Sambas regency and West Kalimantan province. Sambas regency's administrative center, the city of the same name, which is administratively located in another subdistrict of the regency, offers traditional Malay and Chinese merchant colonies as well as local markets, which are remnants of the original Borneo trading culture. Traces of the Malay Sultanate's history are found at numerous points throughout the regency, including former sultanic palaces and sacred sites. In West Kalimantan province, of which Sambas regency forms the western part, natural attractions include various national parks and forest research centers. Within Sambas regency's territory, particularly in floodplain and coastal zones, there are fishing tourism sites and natural waters visited by locals. The rural area of Tebas subdistrict in the immediate vicinity of Seret Ayon demonstrates the traditional life of indigenous Kalimantan communities (Dayak and Malay), where family agriculture, fishing, and small-scale handicrafts remain common practices. For travelers, the authentic rural Indonesian experience and the opportunity to learn about local communities hold attraction, though this area is not characterized by organized tourism infrastructure.
Summary
Seret Ayon is a rural local community on the western coast of Sambas regency, considered a characteristic small settlement of West Kalimantan province. The real estate market is limited, public safety exists at a stable level typical of rural Indonesian areas, and organized tourism is practically absent. The settlement's main appeal lies in the authentic Borneo rural lifestyle, traditional community relations, and the observation of the natural environment; however, for any more detailed investment or tourism ventures, visiting larger reference points or neighboring subdistrict centers becomes necessary.
