Batu Tinggi: The Charm and Magic of the River in the Heart of Sekadau

Batu Tinggi's natural beauty is captivating, but beware of strong currents below when the water level is high. Photo Credit: author.

This enchanting site reveals its beauty when the Sekadau River recedes, unveiling a vast expanse of stones that stretch as far as the eye can see at the riverbed. 

Batu Tinggi: Cultural heritage and beauty

Batu Tinggi has become part of the cultural heritage of the folksong Bumi Lawang Kuwari, a traditional song that immortalizes the beauty of this place.

This tourist attraction in Sekadau, which only becomes visible during the dry season, captivates visitors with the stunning combination of stones that line the riverbed from bank to bank.

Batu Tinggi is shrouded in mystery. Like a painting with two sides, behind its breathtaking panorama lies a tragic story. 

After visiting Batu Tinggi, the allure that has long been celebrated in poetry and song reveals a somber tale hidden beneath its beauty.

Tragedy at Batu Tinggi: caution behind its charm

To prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future, it’s crucial to focus on safety measures while engaging in activities near water, especially for those who are not strong swimmers.

On Friday, August 18, 2023, as dusk approached, two hopeful teenagers met a tragic fate, drowning in the cool waters of Batu Tinggi on the Sekadau River. 

Rescue teams tirelessly searched for them, continuing their operations well past midnight.

The victims of this heartbreaking incident were GD (15) and KY (15), both students at SMP Karya Sekadau.

In what should have been a joyful moment, they were relaxing and enjoying a swim in what was meant to be a fun area. However, this tragic fate brought profound sorrow to their families, friends, and community.

Support and education

Looking ahead, as a preventive measure to avert similar tragedies, it’s essential to pay greater attention to safety when engaging in activities near water, particularly for those who are not adept swimmers.

Parents play a vital role in supervising their children while swimming, offering the necessary guidance and oversight. Moreover, it’s advisable for anyone swimming to wear a flotation device, even those who are reasonably skilled swimmers. This action serves not only as a safety measure for those less experienced but also as an extra precaution for those who swim confidently.

Understanding the actual conditions of the river is crucial. Although the surface may appear calm, strong currents can sometimes lie beneath. This occurs due to the topographical position of the Sekadau River, which is higher than the Kapuas River, its confluence.

The inflow from the Kapuas River can create surprising differences in pressure and currents beneath the seemingly tranquil surface.

Alongside this, education about potential dangers and preventive actions needs to be widely disseminated. Parents have a responsibility to impart this knowledge to their children.

Teachers also play an essential role in educating students about swimming safety. However, this education should not be confined to schools. The wider community, especially those living near Batu Tinggi, should also receive adequate information regarding the hidden dangers and preventive measures to take while swimming in the area.

With these steps, we hope the community will be better prepared and more aware of the risks and necessary precautions when swimming in waters like Batu Tinggi, Sekadau. This knowledge and proper preventive measures can help reduce the potential for avoidable tragedies.

This is a fragment of a famous folksong about Batu Tinggi:
Batu Tinggi, Batu Tinggi dalam Sekadau
Nampak bila nampak bila aik kemarau
Aku tiduk, aku tiduk tak ngigau-ngigau
Pandai ngonang, pandai ngonang abo di rantau........

Batu Tinggi, Batu Tinggi in Sekadau
It seems, it seems when the dry season comes
I’m quiet, I’m quiet, not dreaming away
Because of memories, echoing still, brother far away..........

-- Masri Sareb Putra