140-628: Balingian also known as Kuala Balingian is a town in Sarawak , Malaysia . It lies approximately 286.1 kilometres (178 mi) east-north-east of the state capital Kuching . Baligian got its name from a river crossing the town. The river was once used by the local residents to go to their hill paddy fields. The Balingian sub-district is administered by a Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO) and three Penghulu (regional chief). Administrative areas of Balingian sub-district includes Balingian delta, Arip river, Bawan river, and Bawang Assan river, all under
280-894: A Christian scholar originally from Minqing County , Fujian , China, became acquainted with Sarawak and the White Rajahs through his son-in-law, Dr. Lim Boon Keng. Disillusioned by the Qing dynasty 's heavy-handed response during the Boxer Rebellion , which specifically targeted Chinese Christians for violence, Wong embarked on a quest to find a new settlement overseas, with a focus on Southeast Asia . Prior to arriving in Sarawak, Wong explored other regions in Malaya and Indonesia for potential settlement, albeit without success. Wong obtained approval from Charles Brooke to search for
420-575: A Dayak chief named Lintong (Mua-ri). They attempted to breach the fort's doors with axes but were eventually repelled by the Brooke administration. As per records from the Sarawak Gazette on January 24, 1871, Sibu boasted 60 wooden shops. In 1873, the town of Sibu was incorporated into the newly created third division of Sarawak. The first Chinese settlers arrived in Sibu during the 1860s, with
560-461: A Methodist church in 1905, later renamed Masland Methodist Church in 1925. Hoover remained in the Rajang basin for an additional 31 years until his demise from malaria in 1935, while the construction of Lau King Howe Hospital was completed in 1936 to cater to the growing population of Sibu. The hospital served the people of Sibu for 58 years until 1994 when a new hospital was built in Sibu. By 1919,
700-491: A Sarawak nationalist hailing from Sibu and a member of the Malay Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Melayu). The primary objective of this movement was to secure Sarawak's independence from British colonial rule. At the young age of 17, Rosli carried out the assassination of Sir Duncan George Stewart , the second governor of colonial Sarawak, on December 3, 1949. This act was a reflection of his strong commitment to
840-687: A clamp-down by the colonial government. On 27 May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman , the prime minister of the Federation of Malaya , announced a plan to form a greater federation together with Singapore , Sarawak , North Borneo and Brunei , to be called Malaysia. On 17 January 1962, the Cobbold Commission was formed to gauge the support of Sarawak and Sabah for the plan; the Commission reported 80 per cent support for federation. On 23 October 1962, five political parties in Sarawak formed
980-491: A devastating fire razed the town of Sibu, leading to a setback in its development. The first hospital in Sibu was established by the Brooke government in 1912, a wooden single-storey building featuring an outpatient department and male and female wards. On 8 March 1928, Sibu faced another significant fire; however, the Tua Pek Kong Temple miraculously survived, earning it local reverence. Wong Nai Siong ,
1120-470: A group of Hokkien people constructing two rows of 40 shophouses around Sibu Fort. These early Chinese settlers were a minority, primarily consisting of Kekhs and Min Nan individuals engaged in commerce. A small number of Chiang Chuan and Amoy people also settled in Sibu for commercial purposes. By 1893, Munan anak Minggat and his followers arrived in Sibu, establishing a longhouse on Pulau Kerto, an island at
1260-534: A headman (known as ketua kampung or penghulu ) for each village. There are a total of 26 sub-districts in Sarawak all under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. The list of divisions, districts, sub-districts and their local authorities is shown in the table below: Kuching South City Council Padawan Municipal Council Sibu Rural District Council The first paramilitary armed forces in Sarawak,
1400-577: A largely symbolic position appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) on the advice of the Malaysian federal government. The position has been held by Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar since 2024. The TYT appoints the Premier , currently held by Abang Johari Openg ( GPS ), as the head of government . Generally, the leader of the party that commands the majority of the state Legislative Assembly
1540-582: A legend where famine in Sibu ended when a flock of swans flew through the skies of Sibu. There is another story where the Sibu Chinese immigrants regarded Sibu Melanau people as "Go" people because a staple food of Melanau staple food was " Sago ". In 2006, the Lanang Bridge connecting Sibu to Sarikei was opened. Sibu also functions as the gateway to Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). The town of Sibu and its surrounding areas has been
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#17327918738371680-430: A month-long Malaysian Independence Day Celebration at Sibu Town Square. Between 1999 and 2004, Sibu Municipal Council decided to adopt the swan as a symbol of Sibu to inspire the people to work towards the goal of becoming a city in the future. Since then, a Swan statue has been erected near the Sibu wharf terminal and another statue is located in the town centre. Sibu is also nicknamed as "Swan City". This came from
1820-535: A new settlement in the Rajang basin. In April 1900, after a 13-day journey up the Rajang River, he decided to establish Sibu as the new settlement for his Fuzhounese clansmen, as the area near the Rajang delta was well-suited for agriculture. An agreement was formalized on 9 July 1900 between Wong Nai Siong and the Brooke government in Kuching, allowing Chinese settlers to inhabit the area. On 21 January 1901,
1960-725: A number of them being studied for medicinal properties. Mangrove and nipah forests lining its estuaries comprise 2% of its forested area, peat swamp forests along other parts of its coastline cover 16%, Kerangas forest covers 5% and Dipterocarpaceae forests cover most mountainous areas. The major trees found in estuary forests include bako and nibong , while those in the peat swamp forests include ramin ( Gonystylus bancanus ), meranti ( Shorea ), and medang jongkong ( Dactylocladus stenostachys ). Animal species are also highly varied, with 185 species of mammals, 530 species of birds, 166 species of snakes, 104 species of lizards, and 113 species of amphibians, of which 19 per cent of
2100-652: A power vacuum persisted in the third division until 23 June 1942, when the Japanese headquarters in Kuching appointed Senda Nijiro as the new Resident of the Third Division of Sarawak. Upon assuming office, Senda Nijiro declared that the Imperial Japanese Army would assume complete control over people's lives and property in the region. On 8 August 1942, Sibu was officially renamed "Sibu-shu". The Japanese authorities began to impose heavy taxes on
2240-663: A prominent hub for tourism in the Upper Rajang River region, renowned for its scenic riverine towns and traditional longhouses inhabited by the Iban and Orang Ulu ethnic groups. Noteworthy landmarks within the city include Wisma Sanyan , recognized as the tallest edifice in Sarawak, and Lanang Bridge , acclaimed as one of the lengthiest river bridges in the state. Sibu also features the largest town square in Malaysia, adjacent to Wisma Sanyan. Of historical significance
2380-684: A regiment formed by the Brooke regime in 1862, were known as the Sarawak Rangers . The regiment, renowned for its jungle tracking skills, served in the campaign to end the intertribal wars in Sarawak. It also engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese, in the Malayan Emergency (in West Malaysia) and the Sarawak Communist Insurgency against the communists. Following the formation of Malaysia,
2520-576: A requirement that the Sarawak Chief Minister be consulted prior to the appointment of the chief judge of the Sarawak High Court, the existence of Native Courts in Sarawak and the power to levy sales tax. Natives in Sarawak enjoy special privileges such as quotas and employment in public service, scholarships, university placements, and business permits. Local governments in Sarawak are exempt from local council laws enacted by
2660-606: A restricted range of wild animals in the jungles but should not possess more than 5 kg (11 lb) of meat. The Sarawak Forest Department was established in 1919 to conserve forest resources in the state. Following international criticism of the logging industry in Sarawak, the state government decided to downsize the Sarawak Forest Department and created the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in 1995. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre
2800-518: A series of tribal conflicts involving the Iban people and the indigenous populations residing in the same geographical area. These conflicts often resulted in skirmishes and confrontations. At times the Iban groups would establish informal alliances with the Malay communities in the vicinity. These alliances were occasionally utilized for joint actions, such as launching attacks on the Kayan tribes inhabiting
2940-507: A significant portion being of Chinese descent, primarily from the Fuzhou region. While other ethnic groups such as Iban , Malay , and Melanau are also present, they are not as prominent in Sibu as in other parts of Sarawak. As of 2010, the city had a population of 162,676 residents. The city's history dates back to its founding in 1862 by James Brooke , who built a fort to protect against attacks by indigenous Dayak people . Subsequently,
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#17327918738373080-477: A small group of Chinese Hokkien settlers established themselves around the fort, engaging in various business activities. In 1901, Wong Nai Siong led a significant migration of 1,118 Fuzhou Chinese from Fujian , China, to Sibu. Over time, infrastructure development took place, including the construction of the first hospital, Sibu bazaars, Methodist schools, and churches. Sibu faced significant challenges in its history, enduring fires in 1889 and 1928 that destroyed
3220-595: A united front that supported the formation of Malaysia. Sarawak was officially granted self-government on 22 July 1963, and federated with Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah ), and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. The governments of the Philippines and Indonesia opposed the new federation, as did the Brunei People's Party and Sarawak-based communist groups, and in 1962,
3360-479: A very long Dayak canoe capable of seating over one hundred men... The river at Sibu was of great width, over a mile across, in fact, and close to the bank is a Malay village, and a bazaar where the wily Chinaman does a thriving trade in the wild produce of the country, and makes huge profits out of the Dayaks and other natives on this river. On 13 May 1870, the fort faced an attack by 3,000 Kanowit Dayaks , led by
3500-487: Is appointed as the chief minister; democratically elected representatives are known as state assemblymen. The state assembly passes laws on subjects that are not under the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Malaysia such as land administration, employment, forests, immigration, merchant shipping and fisheries. The state government is constituted by the premier, the cabinet ministers and their deputy ministers. To protect
3640-459: Is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of Borneo) to the south, and Brunei in the north. The state capital, Kuching , is the largest city in Sarawak, the economic centre of the state, and the seat of the Sarawak state government. Other cities and towns in Sarawak include Miri , Sibu , and Bintulu . As of the 2020 Malaysia census,
3780-492: Is ethnically, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse; ethnic groups including Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Indian, Eurasian and Kedayan. English and Malay are the two official languages of the state; there is no official religion. The generally-accepted explanation of the state's name is that it is derived from the Sarawak Malay word Serawak or Cerava by Portuguese cartographers in
3920-529: Is found in coastal and riverine regions. 12 per cent of Sarawak is covered with peat swamp forest . Limestone with well-developed karst topography and cave systems is found scattered from west to east Sarawak, but concentrated in certain regions such as in the Bau district in the west and southwards near the Kalimantan border. There are thirty national parks, among which are Niah with its eponymous caves,
4060-480: Is known as "Buah Sibau". Consequently, the division was named after the Pulasan fruit, reflecting the rich natural resources and cultural significance of the area. In the 15th century, a historical event occurred in the region of southern Sarawak, which led to the displacement of immigrant Iban communities towards what is now known as the Sibu region. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Rajang basin witnessed
4200-582: Is notable for its turtle conservation initiatives. Birdwatching is a common activity in various national parks such as Gunung Mulu National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, and Similajau National Park . Miri–Sibuti National Park is known for its coral reefs and Gunung Gading National Park for its Rafflesia flowers. Bako National Park , the oldest national park in Sarawak, is known for its 275 proboscis monkeys, and Padawan Pitcher Garden for its various carnivorous pitcher plants . In 1854, Alfred Russel Wallace visited Sarawak. A year later, he formulated
4340-447: Is one of the world's largest exporters of tropical hardwood timber , constituting 65% of the total Malaysian log exports in 2000. The last United Nations statistics in 2001 estimated Sarawak's sawlog exports at an average of 14,109,000 m (498,300,000 cu ft) per year between 1996 and 2000. Sibu Sibu / ˈ s iː b uː / is a landlocked city located in the central region of Sarawak , Malaysia. It serves as
Balingian - Misplaced Pages Continue
4480-738: Is the Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum , distinguished as Malaysia's inaugural and sole medical-themed museum. Equally prominent is the Sibu Central Market, a sprawling indoor marketplace recognised as the largest of its kind in Sarawak. Tourist attractions in Sibu encompass the Sibu Heritage Centre, Tua Pek Kong Temple , Bawang Assan longhouses, Sibu Old Mosque, Jade Dragon Temple , Bukit Aup Jubilee Park, and Bukit Lima Forest Park. The city also hosts vibrant cultural events such as
4620-400: Is the highest point in Sarawak. Sarawak has a tropical geography with an equatorial climate and experiences two monsoon seasons: a northeast monsoon and a southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon occurs between November and February, bringing heavy rainfall while the southwest monsoon, which occurs between March and October, brings somewhat less rainfall. The climate is stable throughout
4760-775: Is usually high, exceeding 68 per cent, with annual rainfall varying between 330 cm (130 in) and 460 cm (180 in) for up to 220 days a year. At highland areas, the temperature can vary from 16 °C (61 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F) during the day and as low as 11 °C (52 °F) during the night. Sarawak is divided into three ecoregions . The coastal region is rather low-lying and flat with large areas of swamp and other wet environments. Beaches in Sarawak include Pasir Panjang and Damai beaches in Kuching, Tanjung Batu beach in Bintulu, and Tanjung Lobang and Hawaii beaches in Miri. Hilly terrain accounts for much of
4900-566: The 1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis . In 1969, the first Sarawak state election was held, with members of the Council Negri being directly elected by the voters. This election marked the beginning of ethnic Melanau domination in Sarawak politics by Abdul Rahman Ya'kub and Abdul Taib Mahmud. In the same year, the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) which subsequently waged a guerrilla war against
5040-459: The Bakun Dam and Murum Dam projects, have submerged thousands of hectares of forest and displaced thousands of indigenous people. Since 2013, the proposed Baram Dam project has been delayed due to ongoing protests from local indigenous tribes. Since 2014, the Sarawak government under chief minister Adenan Satem started to take action against illegal logging in the state and to diversify
5180-590: The Battle of North Borneo , the Australian forces landed at Lutong-Miri area on 20 June 1945 and penetrated as far as Marudi and Limbang before halting their operations in Sarawak. After the surrender of Japan , the Japanese surrendered to the Australian forces at Labuan on 10 September 1945. The following day, the Japanese forces at Kuching surrendered, and the Batu Lintang camp was liberated. Sarawak
5320-581: The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) and the Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF). Economically, Sibu thrives on the timber and shipbuilding industries, which have historically been central to its economic landscape. Before 1873, Sibu was known as "Maling", a name derived from a bend in the Rajang River referred to as "Tanjung Maling". This bend was located opposite the present-day town of Sibu and near
5460-613: The Brunei Revolt broke out. Indonesian president Sukarno responded by deploying armed volunteers and, later, military forces into Sarawak. Thousands of Sarawak communist members went to Kalimantan , Indonesian Borneo, and underwent training with the Communist Party of Indonesia . The most significant engagement of the confrontation was fought at Plaman Mapu in April 1965. The defeat at Plaman Mapu ultimately resulted in
5600-689: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the participation of the United Kingdom, became joint associate members of the IMO. Sarawak is separated from Kalimantan Borneo by ranges of high hills and mountains that are part of the central mountain range of Borneo. These become loftier to the north, and are highest near the source of the Baram River at the steep Mount Batu Lawi and Mount Mulu . Mount Murud
5740-632: The Javanese manuscript Nagarakretagama , written by Prapanca in 1365, mentioned Barune as the constituent state of Hindu Majapahit , which had to make an annual tribute of forty katis of camphor . In 1369, Sulu which was also formerly part of Majapahit, successfully rebelled and then attacked Boni, and had invaded the Northeast Coast of Borneo and afterwards had looted the capital of its treasure and gold including sacking two sacred pearls. A fleet from Majapahit succeeded in driving away
Balingian - Misplaced Pages Continue
5880-465: The Melanau people , followed by the influx of Iban and Malay communities in the 1850s. Rajah Brooke, in 1862, oversaw the construction of Sibu Fort (commonly referred to as Fort Brooke), strategically situated at present-day Channel Road in Sibu. This fort played a pivotal role as an administrative center for the Brooke government in Sibu. However, it was demolished in 1936. It was customary for
6020-604: The Pakatan Rakyat coalition with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS); the latter two parties had become active in Sarawak between 1996 and 2001. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia where West Malaysia-based component parties in the BN coalition, especially the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), have not been active in state politics. On 12 June 2018,
6160-477: The Sarawak Parties Alliance was formed by the BN parties in the state in the aftermath of an historic meeting of party leaders in Kuching, where they decided that in light of the BN defeat in the 2018 Malaysian general election and the changing national situation and a new government, the parties will leave the BN altogether. In conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia Day in 2018 under
6300-729: The Sarawak River being the main river flowing through Kuching. The Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia, measuring 563 km (350 mi) including its tributary, Balleh River . To the north, the Baram, Limbang and Trusan Rivers drain into the Brunei Bay . Sarawak can be divided into two geological zones: the Sunda Shield , which extends southwest from the Batang Lupar River (near Sri Aman ) and forms
6440-559: The Tang and Song dynasties (8th to 13th century AD, respectively) found at Santubong (near Kuching ) hint at its significance as a seaport. One of the earliest Chinese records of an independent kingdom in Borneo is the 977 AD letter to the Chinese emperor from the ruler of Boni, which some scholars believe to refer to Borneo. The Bruneians regained their independence from Srivijaya due to
6580-569: The White Rajah to erect such forts to assert territorial claims and provide protection. The existence of Sibu Fort is substantiated by historical accounts which described its location and history: There is a fort in Sibu, as indeed there is at most of the river places in Sarawak... The fort at Sibu was close to the Resident Dr. Hose 's house and was attacked by Dayaks only a few years ago. Johnson, one of Dr. Hose's assistants, showed me
6720-641: The premier . Sarawak is divided into administrative divisions and districts, governed by a system that is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and was the earliest state legislature system in Malaysia. Under the Malaysian constitution, Sarawak has greater autonomy than the states in Peninsular Malaysia. Because of its natural resources, Sarawak specialises in the export of oil and gas, timber and palm oil , but also possesses strong manufacturing, energy and tourism sectors. It
6860-488: The "Rajang Special Security Area". A day later, the Rajang Security Command (RASCOM) was formed through the cooperation of civil, military, and police command headquarters. By August 1973, several communist members had been captured, and these individuals provided crucial information that further weakened the communist movement. On 22 September 1973, Abdul Rahman initiated "Operation Judas", resulting in
7000-541: The "Sarawak Law" which foreshadowed the formulation of his (and Darwin's ) theory of evolution by natural selection three years later. The Sarawak state government has enacted several laws to protect its forests and endangered wildlife species. Some of the protected species are the orangutan, green sea turtle , flying lemur , and piping hornbill . Under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, Sarawak natives are given permissions to hunt for
7140-459: The 1300s the Chinese annals, Nanhai zhi , reported that Brunei invaded or administered Sarawak and Sabah as well as the Philippine kingdoms of Butuan , Sulu , Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu 麻裏蘆 (present-day Manila ), Shahuchong 沙胡重 (present-day Siocon), Yachen 啞陳 ( Oton ), and 文杜陵 Wenduling (present-day Mindanao ), which would regain their independence at a later date. In the 14th century,
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#17327918738377280-470: The 16th century, which means antimony . A popular alternative explanation is that it is a contraction of the four Malay words purportedly uttered by Pangeran Muda Hashim (uncle to the Sultan of Brunei ), " Saya serah pada awak " (I surrender it to you), when he gave Sarawak to James Brooke , an English explorer, in 1841. However, the latter explanation is incorrect: the territory had been named Sarawak before
7420-414: The 16th century. In 1839, James Brooke , a British explorer, arrived in Sarawak. He, and his descendants, governed the state from 1841 to 1946. During World War II , it was occupied by the Japanese for three years. After the war, the last White Rajah , Charles Vyner Brooke , ceded Sarawak to Britain, and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony . On 22 July 1963, Sarawak was granted self-government by
7560-598: The Balingian coal field. Balingian coal-fired power plant commenced operation since May 2019. It is the first plant in Malaysia to use circulating fluidized bed technology to handle various coal types. Under Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE); an aluminium smelting plant located at about 25 km from Balingian was built. Offshore oil and gas is also a growth area for Balingian. Coastal road has improved Balingian link to other towns, especially those who went to Mukah and Bintulu (via Kuala Tatau). Amongst
7700-644: The Borneo Communist Party (BCP), and BCP activities were concentrated in areas such as Sibu, Sarikei , and Bintangor. Huang Zeng Ting, another communist and Huang Sheng Zi's brother, played a significant role in the formation of Sarawak's first political party, the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), becoming its first executive secretary. In 1954, the Sarawak Liberation League (SLL) was formed following
7840-510: The British Sime Darby company, Borneo Company Limited , and Chinese businessmen who became victims of these riots. In an attempt to restore order, Chinese businessmen in the region banded together to form a security alliance. To address the growing disorder, an advance team from Japan arrived in Sibu on 29 January 1942, after being summoned from Kuching. However, this team eventually fled Sibu and returned to Kuching. Consequently,
7980-456: The British and subsequently became one of the founding members of Malaysia, established on 16 September 1963. However, the federation was opposed by Indonesia, leading to a three-year confrontation . The creation of Malaysia also prompted a communist insurgency that lasted until 1990. The head of state is the governor, also known as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri , while the head of government is
8120-417: The Brooke government created an advisory Supreme Council, mostly consisting of Malay chiefs. This council is the oldest state legislative assembly in Malaysia, with the first general council meeting taking place at Bintulu in 1867. In 1928, a judicial commissioner, Thomas Stirling Boyd, was appointed as the first legally trained judge. A similar system relating to matters concerning various Chinese communities
8260-403: The Chinese population and initiated a Sook Ching operation to identify suspected anti-Japanese individuals. Some Chinese individuals, under extreme torture, provided false lists of names of supposed anti-Japanese groups. Tragically, these lists led to the wrongful execution of innocent individuals at the Bukit Lima execution ground, while others were incarcerated in a prison in Kapit. Following
8400-516: The Japanese and interned at the Batu Lintang camp . Sarawak remained part of the Empire of Japan for three years and eight months. During this time it was divided into three provinces – Kuching-shu, Sibu-shu, and Miri-shu – each under their respective Provincial Governor. The Japanese otherwise preserved the Brooke administrative structure and appointed Japanese people to important government positions. Allied forces later carried out Operation Semut to sabotage Japanese operations in Sarawak. During
8540-493: The Kuching airfield held as long as possible before being destroyed. A Japanese invasion force led by Kiyotake Kawaguchi landed in Miri on 16 December 1941 and captured Kuching on 24 December 1941, with British ground forces retreating to Singkawang in neighbouring Dutch Borneo . The Allied forces surrendered on 1 April 1942 after ten weeks of fighting there. Charles Vyner Brooke , the last Rajah of Sarawak, had already left for Sydney , Australia; his officers were captured by
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#17327918738378680-459: The Kuching region led Pengiran Indera Mahkota , a representative of the Sultan of Brunei, to increase development in the territory between 1824 and 1830. Increasing antimony production in the region led the Brunei Sultanate to demand higher taxes, which ultimately led to civil unrest. In 1839, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II (1827–1852) assigned his uncle Pengiran Muda Hashim the task of restoring order but his inability to do so caused him to request
8820-455: The Malaysian parliament. This level of autonomy means Sarawak is sometimes referred to as a "region", to differentiate it from less autonomous states. Major political parties in Sarawak can be divided into three categories: native Sarawak Bumiputera (PBB and PBM), native Sarawak Dayak (PRS, PDP, PBDSB, etc.), and non-Bumiputera (SUPP, PSB, PBK, etc.); Parties, however, may also include members from more than one group. The first political party,
8960-412: The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), was established in 1959, followed by the Parti Negara Sarawak (PANAS) in 1960 and the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in 1961. Other major political parties such as Parti Pesaka Sarawak (PESAKA) appeared by 1962. These parties later joined the national coalition of the Alliance Party. The Alliance Party (later regrouped into Barisan Nasional ) has ruled Sarawak since
9100-403: The Sarawak state government. Their remains were relocated from the Kuching Central Prison and interred at the Sarawak Heroes Mausoleum near the Sibu Town Mosque on 2 March 1996. In the early 1950s, influenced by the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, communist members in Sibu began to establish a presence in Sarawak. Huang Sheng Zi from Bintangor became the president of
9240-410: The Sulus, but Boni was left weaker after the attack. A Chinese report from 1371 described Boni as poor and totally controlled by Majapahit. The Bruneian Empire was established in the coastal regions of Sarawak by the mid-15th century, and the Kuching area was known to Portuguese cartographers during the 16th century as Cerava , one of the five great seaports of Borneo. The Sultanate of Sarawak
9380-412: The administration of Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM). Balingian is located inside the Balingian sub-district, about 60 km from Mukah town. The Balingian sub-district is measured as 3,032 km. The town of Balingian is located between the Mukah town and the Bintulu town. It takes one hour to go to Mukah from Balingian and three hours to go to Sibu . Balingian can also be reached through
9520-426: The aid of British sailor James Brooke . Brooke's success in quelling the revolt was rewarded with antimony, property and the governorship of Sarawak, which at that time consisted only of a small area centred on Kuching. The Brooke family , later called the White Rajahs , set about expanding the territory they had been ceded. With expansion came the need for efficient governance and thus, beginning in 1841, Sarawak
9660-410: The anti-cession cause. Rosli, along with three of his accomplices, namely Awang Ramli Amit, Bujang Suntong, and Morshidi Sidek, were subsequently tried and sentenced to death by hanging. On March 2, 1950, they were buried at the Kuching Central Prison. In recognition of their role in the anti-colonial movement against the British, Rosli Dhobi and his associates were later given a full state funeral by
9800-408: The area, and the communist insurgency in Sarawak was eventually suppressed in 1973, coming to a complete end in 1990. Sibu achieved municipality status in 1981 and received a royal visit in September 2001. Additionally, it has served as a gateway to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) since 2008. The city celebrated the 110th anniversary of the Fuzhou settlement in 2011. Sibu serves as
9940-430: The arrival of James Brooke, and the word awak was not in the vocabulary of Sarawak Malay before the formation of Malaysia. Sarawak is nicknamed "Land of the Hornbills" ( Bumi Kenyalang ). These birds are important cultural symbols for the Dayak people, representing the spirit of God. It is also believed that if a hornbill is seen flying over residences, it will bring good luck to the local community. Sarawak has eight of
10080-514: The assassination of the second colonial governor of Sarawak, Sir Duncan Stewart . Despite the resistance, Sarawak became a British Crown colony on 1 July 1946. Anthony Brooke opposed the cession of Sarawak to the British Crown, for which he was banished from Sarawak by the colonial government. He was only allowed to return 17 years later after Sarawak had become part of Malaysia. In 1950 all anti-cession movements in Sarawak ceased after
10220-617: The capital of Sibu District within Sibu Division and is situated on the island of Borneo . Covering an area of 129.5 square kilometres (50.0 sq mi), the city is positioned at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers , approximately 60 kilometres from the South China Sea and 191.5 kilometres (119 mi) north-east of the state capital, Kuching . Sibu is characterised by its diverse population, with
10360-471: The capture of 29 people from the town of Sibu, including doctors, lawyers, businessmen, teachers, and one former member of parliament. Following the surrender of a communist movement in Sri Aman on 21 October 1973, communist activities in the Rajang basin began to decline and never fully recovered their previous strength. The communist movement in Sarawak finally came to an end in 1990. On 1 November 1981,
10500-477: The confluence of the Rajang and Igan rivers near Sibu. Munan was a loyal ally to the Brooke government and played a crucial role in suppressing Iban rebellions in the Upper Katibas and Lupar rivers during the 1860s and 1880s. In 1903, Munan became the first Iban to operate a rubber plantation in Kuching and subsequently invested the profits in shop-houses and lands in Sibu. However, on 10 February 1889,
10640-569: The confluence of the Igan and Rajang rivers. The area was named after this prominent geographical feature. On 1 June 1873, under the administration of the Brooke family , the third division of Sarawak was established. This division later became known as the Sibu Division . The name "Sibu" itself was derived from the native Pulasan fruit, which was abundant in the region. In the Iban language , this fruit
10780-524: The consolidation of the BCP with several other communist organisations. The spread of communism in Sibu was facilitated by student movements in schools like Chung Hua Secondary School, Catholic High School, and Wong Nai Siong High School. Communist strongholds in Sibu were notably located at Oya Road and Queensway (now Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg). The movement also received support from the intelligentsia and workers in Sibu. Dr. Wong Soon Kai, for example, supported
10920-473: The construction of a casino in the Sibu area, initiatives put forth by the Brooke government. Subsequently, he faced expulsion by the Sarawak government due to an inability to repay debts. Wong and his family departed from Sibu in July 1904. Following Wong's departure, Reverend James Hoover assumed responsibility for managing the Sibu settlement and introduced the first rubber seedlings to Sibu in 1904. He erected
11060-408: The country. Several border disputes between Malaysia and its neighbouring countries concern Sarawak. Land and maritime disputes exist with Brunei. In 2009, Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi claimed that in a meeting with Sultan of Brunei, Brunei agreed to drop its claim over Limbang . This was however denied by the second Foreign Minister of Brunei Lim Jock Seng , stating the issue
11200-597: The economy of the state. Through the course of 2016 over 2 million acres of forest, much of it in orangutan habitats, were declared protected areas. Sources vary as to Sarawak's remaining forest cover: former chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud declared that it fell from 70% to 48% between 2011 and 2012, the Sarawak Forest Department and the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment both held that it remained at 80% in 2012, and Wetlands International reported that it fell by 10% between 2005 and 2010, 3.5 times faster than
11340-407: The end of the Japanese occupation of Sarawak in 1945, Charles Vyner Brooke , the last Rajah of Sarawak, made the decision to cede the state to become part of the British crown colony of Sarawak . This proposal faced significant opposition from the local population, leading to the emergence of the anti-cession movement in Sarawak . One prominent figure in the anti-cession movement was Rosli Dhobi ,
11480-471: The establishment of schools and churches in Sibu, including the Methodist church in 1902 and Ying Hua Methodist School at Sungai Merah in 1903. Between 1903 and 1935, Reverend James Hoover played a pivotal role in constructing 41 churches and 40 schools in Sibu. In the interim, 676 Cantonese individuals arrived in Sibu between 1902 and 1917. However, in 1904, Wong opposed the proposed sale of opium and
11620-492: The export-oriented economy is dominated by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which accounts for more than half of total exports. Crude petroleum accounts for 45.1%, while palm oil, sawlogs , and sawn timber account for 12.0% collectively. The state receives a 5% royalty from Petronas over oil explorations in its territorial waters. Most of the oil and gas deposits are located offshore next to Bintulu and Miri at Balingian basin, Baram basin, and around Luconia Shoals. Sarawak
11760-588: The failure to reach two-thirds majority support (148 votes) in the Parliament with only 138 agreed with the move while 59 abstained from the voting. On 14 December 2021, the proposed amendment was passed in the Parliament unanimously with 199 votes in favour, and 21 MPs absent from the 6-hour long debate. Unlike states in Peninsular Malaysia , Sarawak is divided into 12 divisions, each headed by an appointed resident. On 26 November 2015, it
11900-591: The fall of Sukarno and his replacement with Suharto as President of Indonesia. Negotiations were restarted between Malaysia and Indonesia and led to the end of the confrontation on 11 August 1966. A number of communist groups existed in Sarawak, the first of which, the Sarawak Overseas Chinese Democratic Youth League, formed in 1951. Another group, the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP, also known as Clandestine Communist Organisation (CCO) by government sources)
12040-478: The first group of 72 settlers arrived in Sibu and settled in the Sungai Merah area, hailing from Fuzhou , Fujian , located about 6 km from the town of Sibu. The second batch of 535 settlers arrived on 16 March 1901, marking what is now known as "New Fuzhou Resettlement Day". In June 1901, a final group of 511 settlers joined them, bringing the total number of Fuzhounese settlers to 1,118. Wong Nai Siong
12180-482: The formation of Malaysia. The opposition in Sarawak has consistently alleged that the ruling coalition uses various types of vote-buying tactics in order to win elections. Stephen Kalong Ningkan was the first Chief Minister of Sarawak from 1963 to 1966 following his landslide victory in local council elections. However, he was ousted in 1966 by Tawi Sli with the help of the Malaysian federal government , causing
12320-521: The highest point in the state. Sarawak is the only state of Malaysia with a Christian majority. The earliest known human settlement in Sarawak at the Niah Caves dates back 40,000 years. A series of Chinese ceramics dated from the 8th to 13th century AD was uncovered at the archaeological site of Santubong. The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in
12460-550: The highly developed ecosystem around Lambir Hills , and the World Heritage Site of Gunung Mulu . The last contains Sarawak Chamber , one of the world's largest underground chambers, Deer Cave , the largest cave passage in the world, and Clearwater Cave , the longest cave system in Southeast Asia . Sarawak contains large tracts of tropical rainforest with diverse plant species, which has led to
12600-525: The influence of the Chinese Civil War extended to Sarawak, with the Kuomintang establishing its initial branches in Sibu and Kuching. The then-reigning Rajah, Charles Brooke, opposed such political involvement by the local Chinese population and expelled several local Kuomintang leaders. However, his successor, Charles Vyner Brooke , displayed a more receptive stance toward the activities of
12740-606: The inhabited land and is where most of the cities and towns are found. The ports of Kuching and Sibu are built some distance from the coast on rivers while Bintulu and Miri are close to the coastline where the hills stretch right to the South China Sea. The third region is the mountainous region along the Sarawak–Kalimantan border, where a number of villages such as Bario , Ba'kelalan , and Usun Apau Plieran are located. A number of rivers flow through Sarawak, with
12880-604: The interests of the Sarawakians in the Malaysian federation, special safeguards have been included in the Constitution of Malaysia . These include: control over immigration in and out of the state as well as the residence status of non-Sarawakians and Sabahans, limitations on the practice of law to resident lawyers, independence of the Sarawak High Court from the High Court Peninsular Malaysia,
13020-628: The late Cretaceous period. Other types of stone that can be found in central and northern Sarawak are shale , sandstone , and chert . The Miri Division in eastern Sarawak is the region of Neogene strata containing organic rich rock formations which are the prolific oil and gas reserves . The rocks enriched in organic components are mudstones in Lambir, Miri and Tukau Formations of Middle Miocene - Lower Pliocene age. Significant quantities of Sarawak soil are lithosols , up to 60 per cent, and podsols , around 12 per cent, while abundant alluvial soil
13160-651: The life of indigenous tribes, especially the Penan, whose livelihood is heavily dependent on forest produce. This led to several blockades by indigenous tribes during the 1980s and 1990s against logging companies encroaching on their lands. Indeed, illegal logging in particular has decimated the forest regions indigenous populations depend on for their livelihoods, depleting fish, wildlife, but also traditional medicinal herbs and construction staples like Palm. There have also been cases where Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands have been given to timber and plantation companies without
13300-532: The local Chinese, who also engaged in fundraising to support the Kuomintang's resistance against Japanese invasion on the Chinese mainland. Following the conclusion of World War II , local Kuomintang leaders advocated for Sarawak's transfer to British control as a Crown Colony. This move encountered opposition from local communist leaders, leading to frequent clashes between the two factions. The Kuomintang branches in Sarawak were ultimately disbanded in 1949 when
13440-512: The local council which administered the town of Sibu (Sibu Urban District Council) was upgraded to Sibu Municipal Council . The area of administration of Sibu expanded from 50 km to 129.5 km . In 1994, Sibu Airport and Sibu Hospital were constructed. In 2001, Wisma Sanyan construction was completed. Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah visited Sibu from 16 to 17 September 2001 to close
13580-711: The mammals, 6 per cent of the birds, 20 per cent of the snakes and 32 per cent of the lizards are endemic . These species are largely found in Totally Protected Areas. There are over 2,000 tree species in Sarawak. Other plants includes 1,000 species of orchids, 757 species of ferns, and 260 species of palm. The state is the habitat of endangered animals, including the borneo pygmy elephant , proboscis monkey , orangutans and Sumatran rhinoceroses . Matang Wildlife Centre, Semenggoh Nature Reserve, and Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary are noted for their orangutan protection programmes. Talang–Satang National Park
13720-439: The manufacture of food and beverages, wood-based and rattan products, basic metal products, and petrochemicals , as well as cargo and air services and tourism. The state's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 40.5% per year on average from 2010 to 2021, but became very more volatile later on, ranging from −3.0% in 2009 to 35.0% in 2021. Sarawak contributed 9.5% of Malaysia's GDP in the nine years leading up to 2020, making it
13860-640: The mid-1960s but nonetheless retained control of the CCO, pushed for a continued armed insurrection against the government in spite of this agreement. The conflict continued mostly in the Rajang Delta region but eventually ended when, on 17 October 1990, the NKCP signed a peace agreement with the Government of Sarawak. The head of the Sarawak state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (also known as TYT or Governor),
14000-551: The movement by providing free medication. Villagers in Kampung Tanjung Kunyit were among those pressured to supply food and medical provisions to the communists. In March 1971, the communists initiated an anti-pornography campaign, and in early 1973, they launched another campaign opposing tax increases and price inflation while advocating for higher wages for workers. Communist volunteers distributed pamphlets at various locations, including shophouses, schools, and
14140-476: The nearby hospitals. Balingian is known for its river shrimps and have become an attraction for anglers. Sarawak Sarawak ( / s ə ˈ r ɑː w ɒ k / sə- RAH -wok , Malay: [saˈrawaʔ] ) is a state of Malaysia . The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia , Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo , and
14280-538: The new government, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has promised to restore the status of Sarawak (together with Sabah) as an equal partner to Malaya, where all three parties (and then, Singapore) formed Malaysia in accordance to the Malaysia Agreement . However, through the process of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia in 2019, the bill for the amendment failed to pass following
14420-652: The newly elected Sarawak state government, was formed. The party was dissolved after the signing of a peace agreement in 1990. 1973 saw the birth of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) following a merger of several parties. This party would later become the backbone of the Sarawak BN coalition. In 1978, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was the first West Malaysia-based party to open its branches in Sarawak. Sarawak originally held state elections together with national parliamentary elections. However,
14560-530: The oldest museum in Borneo – in 1891, and brokered a peace in Marudi by ending intertribal wars there. Economic development continued, with oil wells being drilled from 1910 and the Brooke Dockyard opening two years later. Anthony Brooke , who would become Rajah Muda (heir apparent) in 1939. A centenary celebration of Brooke rule in Sarawak was held in 1941. During the celebration, a new constitution
14700-582: The onset of a Javanese-Sumatran war. In 1225, the Chinese official Zhao Rukuo reported that Boni had 100 warships to protect its trade, and that there was great wealth in the kingdom. Marco Polo suggested in his memoirs that the Great Khan or the ruler of the Mongol Empire , attempted and failed many times in invading "Great Java" which was the European name for Bruneian controlled Borneo. In
14840-529: The party lost the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party and retreated to Taiwan . Nevertheless, tensions and conflicts between the two groups persisted until 1955, with the colonial British government banning the Kuomintang's newspaper in May 1951, and the communist newspaper ceasing publication in 1955 due to financial difficulties. During World War II , Japanese forces initiated their invasion of
14980-570: The permission of the locals. The indigenous people have resorted to legal means to reinstate their NCR. In 2001 the High Court of Sarawak fully reinstated the NCR land claimed by the Rumah Nor people, but this was overturned partially in 2005. However, this case has served as a precedent, leading to more NCR being upheld by the high court in the following years. Sarawak's mega-dam policies, such as
15120-460: The population of Sarawak was 2.453 million. Sarawak has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. It has several prominent cave systems at Gunung Mulu National Park . Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia; Bakun Dam , one of the largest dams in Southeast Asia , is located on one of its tributaries, the Balui River . Mount Murud is
15260-571: The populations stay in six villages and 137 longhouses. Majority of the residents here manage their own shophouses and individual stalls in bazaar. A bazaar is held every weekend selling daily necessities and agricultural produce. The establishment of Regional Growth Centre (RGC), Sarawak Oil-Palm Plantation (SOP), FELCRA Berhad allows the local people to involve in large scale oil palm plantations. Other economic activities in Balingian include: sago , rice, and coconut cultivation, fish and chicken domestication, and logging. Coal mining has been ongoing in
15400-538: The regiment was absorbed into the Malaysian military forces and is now known as the Royal Ranger Regiment . In 1888, Sarawak, together with neighbouring North Borneo , and Brunei, became British protectorates , and the responsibility for foreign policy was handed over to the British in exchange for military protection. Since the formation of Malaysia, the Malaysian federal government has been solely responsible for foreign policy and military forces in
15540-488: The region and conducting raids on passing Chinese and Indonesian vessels that traversed through this particular area. James Brooke assumed control of Sarawak, now known as Kuching, in 1841 after acquiring the territory from the Bruneian Empire . In 1853, Sarawak expanded its borders to incorporate the Sibu region, which at the time was a small village characterized by shophouses constructed with atap roofs, wooden walls, and floors. The earliest inhabitants of Sibu were
15680-516: The region by landing in Miri on 16 December 1941. Subsequently, they conquered Kuching on 24 December. On 25 December, Sibu experienced an air raid by nine Japanese warplanes that had flown from Kuching. Concerned about the impending invasion of Sibu, Andrew MacPherson, the Resident of the Third Division, made the decision to evacuate with his officers to the upstream area of the Rajang River. Their plan
15820-483: The rest of Asia combined. Sarawak GDP share by sector (2021) Historically, Sarawak's economy was stagnant during the rule of previous three white Rajahs. After the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak GDP growth rate has risen due to increase in petroleum output and the rise in global petroleum prices. However, the state economy is less diversified and still heavily dependent upon the export of primary commodities when compared to Malaysia overall. The per capita GDP in Sarawak
15960-411: The schools available here are: SRK Parish (Parish primary school), SRB Chung Hua (Chung Hua primary school), Perpaduan kindergarten, Sedidik kindergarten and the upcoming SMK Balingian. Balingian public health clinic was established in 1989. The clinic also has implemented a Teleprimary care (TPC) system. It is an audiovisual system where patients can be assessed and treated remotely without being sent to
16100-461: The sea from Tatau and Bintulu. There is also a coastal road connecting Balingian to the mouth of the Balingian river and Tatau. Neighbouring settlements include: Balingian has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round. According to the Balingian public health clinic estimation, Balingian town has a total population of 15,327 people in 2002. It consists of Iban people (68.3%) and Melanau people (29.49%). All
16240-458: The second British governor of Sarawak, during his visit to Sibu in December 1949. The perpetrator, Rosli Dhoby , was subsequently executed in 1950. In the post-war period, Sibu and the Rajang basin became a center of communist activities, which continued even after Sarawak gained independence in 1963. The establishment of the Rajang Security Command (RASCOM) aimed to curb communist activities in
16380-499: The southern tip of Sarawak, and the geosyncline region, which extends northeast to the Batang Lupar River, forming the central and northern regions of Sarawak. The oldest rock type in southern Sarawak is schist formed during the Carboniferous and Lower Permian times, while the youngest igneous rock in this region, andesite , can be found at Sematan . Geological formation of the central and northern regions started during
16520-573: The state was stable until the 1987 Ming Court Affair , a political coup initiated by Abdul Taib Mahmud 's uncle to topple the Taib-led BN coalition. However, the coup was unsuccessful and Taib retained his position as chief minister. Since the 2006 state election , the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has derived the majority of its support from urban centres and became the largest opposition party in Sarawak. In 2010, it formed
16660-621: The subject of several developmental projects since 2008. In 2011, the 110th anniversary of Fuzhou settlement was celebrated in Sibu. However, Sibu's population growth and economic development is relatively slow when compared to Miri and Bintulu . In September 2023, Sibu had the honour of hosting a two-day visit from the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah as part of their Kembara Kenali Borneo tour. This marked
16800-419: The then chief minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub delayed the dissolution of the state assembly by a year to prepare for the challenges posed by opposition parties. This made Sarawak the only state in Malaysia to hold state elections separate from the national parliamentary elections since 1979. In 1983, SNAP started to fragment into several splinter parties due to recurrent leadership crises. The political climate in
16940-567: The third largest contributor after Selangor and Kuala Lumpur . From 2015 to 2021, the oil and gas industry accounted for 55.2% of the Sarawak government's revenue. It attracted RM 80 billion (US$ 17.85 billion) in foreign investments, with 95% going to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), the second largest economic corridor in Malaysia. As of 2021, Sarawak is producing 2,800,000 barrel of oil equivalent every day in 150 oil and gas producing fields. However,
17080-406: The total area of Malaysia, and lies between the northern latitudes 0° 50′ and 5° and eastern longitudes 109° 36′ and 115° 40′ E. Its 750 km (470 mi) of coastline is interrupted in the north by about 150 km (93 mi) of Bruneian coast. A total of its 45.5 km (28.3 mi) coastline have been eroding . In 1961, Sarawak including neighbouring Sabah , which had been included in
17220-559: The town. However, it was successfully rebuilt on both occasions. During the Second World War , Sibu fell under Japanese occupation, resulting in a renaming of the city to "Sibu-shu" in August 1942. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, Sarawak became a British Crown Colony . This led to unrest among young Melanau individuals in Sibu who were in favour of independence, culminating in the assassination of Sir Duncan George Stewart ,
17360-429: The wharf terminal. They also engaged in military operations against police stations and naval bases, resorting to extreme measures such as beheading suspected government informants. The town of Sibu experienced on-and-off 24-hour curfews for several months. On 25 March 1973, the Sarawak government, led by Chief Minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub , began cracking down on communist activities in the Rajang basin by establishing
17500-552: The world's fifty-four species of hornbills, and the Rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of Sarawak. Foragers are known to have lived around the west mouth of the Niah Caves (located 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Miri ) 40,000 years ago. A modern human skull found near the Niah Caves is the oldest human remain found in Malaysia and the oldest modern human skull from Southeast Asia. Chinese ceramics dating to
17640-411: The year except for the two monsoons, with average daily temperature varying between 23 °C (73 °F) in the morning to 32 °C (90 °F) in the afternoon at coastal areas. Miri has the lowest average temperatures in comparison to other major towns in Sarawak and has the longest daylight hours (more than six hours a day), while other areas receive sunshine for five to six hours a day. Humidity
17780-557: Was also formed. Members of the local community were encouraged by the Brooke regime to focus on particular functions within the territory; the Ibans and other Dayak people were hired as militia while Malays were primarily administrators. Chinese, both local and immigrant, were mostly employed in plantations, mines and as bureaucrats. Expanding trade led to the formation of the Borneo Company Limited in 1856. The company
17920-555: Was announced that the Kuching Division district of Serian would become Sarawak's 12th division and it had officiated by Adenan Satem at its formal creation on 11 April 2015. A division is divided into districts, each headed by a district officer, which are in turn divided into sub-districts, each headed by a Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO). There is also one development officer for each division and district to implement development projects. The state government appoints
18060-487: Was appointed as the "Kang Choo" (港主, "port master") for the Fuzhounese settlement in Sibu. The settlers cultivated crops such as sweet potatoes, fruits, sugar cane, vegetables, and coarse grains in upland areas and rice in wetlands. Most of these settlers chose to remain in Sibu, considering it their new home. Collaborating with American pastor Reverend James Matthew Hoover, Wong and his associates were actively involved in
18200-513: Was established during this time and lasted for almost half a century before being reunited with Brunei in 1641. By the early 19th century, the Bruneian Empire was in decline, retaining only a tenuous hold on the coastal regions of Sarawak which were otherwise controlled by semi-independent Malay leaders. Away from the coast, territorial wars were fought between the Iban and a Kenyah - Kayan alliance. The discovery of antimony ore in
18340-463: Was formally set up in 1970. Weng Min Chyuan and Bong Kee Chok were two of the more notable communist leaders involved in the insurgency. As the political scene changed, it grew progressively more difficult for the communists to operate. This led to Bong opening talks with chief minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub in 1973 and eventually signing an agreement with the government. Weng, who had moved to China in
18480-614: Was immediately placed under British Military Administration and managed by the Australian Imperial Force until April 1946. Lacking the resources to rebuild Sarawak after the war, Charles Vyner Brooke decided to cede Sarawak as British Crown Colony and a cession bill was put forth in the Council Negri (now Sarawak State Legislative Assembly ), which was debated for three days. The bill passed on 17 May 1946 with 19 votes to 16. Hundreds of Malay civil servants resigned in protest, sparking an anti-cession movement and
18620-453: Was introduced that would limit the power of the rajah and grant the Sarawak people a greater role in running the government. However, this constitution was never fully implemented due to the Japanese occupation. That same year saw the British withdrawing its air and marine forces defending Sarawak to Singapore. With Sarawak now unguarded, the Brooke regime adopted a scorched earth policy where oil installations in Miri were to be destroyed and
18760-465: Was involved in a wide range of businesses in Sarawak including trade, banking, agriculture, mineral exploration, and development. Between 1853 and 1862, there were a number of uprisings against the Brooke government but all were successfully contained with the aid of local tribes. To guard against future uprisings, a series of forts were constructed to protect Kuching, including Fort Margherita , completed in 1871. By that time Brooke's control of Sarawak
18900-419: Was lower than the national average from 1970 to 1990. As of 2021, GDP per capita for Sarawak stands at RM 65,971 (US$ 15,173), which is the third highest in Malaysia. However, the urban-rural income gap remained a major problem in Sarawak. Sarawak is abundant in natural resources, and primary industries such as mining, agriculture, and forestry accounted for 32.8% of its economy in 2013. It also specialises in
19040-526: Was never discussed during the meeting. James Shoal (Betting Serupai) and the Luconia Shoals (Betting Raja Jarum/Patinggi Ali), islands in the South China Sea , fall within Sarawak's exclusive economic zone , but concerns have been raised about Chinese incursions. There are also several Sarawak–Kalimantan border issues with Indonesia. The total land area of Sarawak is nearly 124,450 km (48,050 sq mi), making up 37.5 per cent of
19180-423: Was separated into the first of its administrative divisions and the Sarawak dollar , entered circulation in 1858. By 1912, a total of five divisions had been established in Sarawak, each headed by a Resident . The Brooke family generally practised a paternalistic form of government with minimal bureaucracy, but were pressured to establish some form of legal framework. Since they were unfamiliar with local customs,
19320-489: Was set up in 1997 for the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of biodiversity in the state. Sarawak's rain forests are primarily threatened by the logging industry and palm oil plantations. The issue of human rights of the Penan and deforestation in Sarawak became an international environmental issue when Swiss activist Bruno Manser visited Sarawak regularly between 1984 and 2000. Deforestation has affected
19460-529: Was such that defences were largely unnecessary. Charles Anthoni Brooke succeeded his uncle as White Rajah in 1868. Under his rule, Sarawak gained Limbang and the Baram and Trusan valleys from the Sultan of Brunei, later becoming a protectorate in 1888 with Britain handling foreign affairs but the Brooke government retaining administrative powers. Domestically, Brooke established the Sarawak Museum –
19600-541: Was to traverse through Batang Ai and navigate through the dense forests to reach Dutch Borneo . Unfortunately, they were apprehended and killed by Japanese forces at Ulu Moyan in Sarawak. On the evening of 26 December 1941, chaos erupted in Sibu as local residents began looting an unguarded government rice storeroom. This unrest extended beyond mere looting, with villagers residing along the Rajang River also partaking in thefts of daily necessities. The situation rapidly spiraled out of control, resulting in significant damage to
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