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53-538: The Sibu Heritage Centre is a gallery in Sibu , Sarawak , Malaysia . The center building was originally constructed in 1963 as the Sibu Municipal Council. In 2002, the council moved out and the building left vacant until 2008. In 2010, the heritage center was relocated from the basement of Sibu Civic Centre to the council building. It then underwent renovation with a cost of more than MYR1.3 million. It

106-894: 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

159-575: 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

212-461: 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,

265-491: 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

318-491: 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 ,

371-555: A fort to protect against attacks by indigenous Dayak people . Subsequently, 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

424-470: 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

477-582: 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

530-430: 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

583-535: 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,

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636-701: A plucked boat-shaped lute, formerly with two strings, nowadays usually with four strings. They also practice Kanjet , a form of traditional dance. A vast majority of the Orang Ulu tribes are Christians with significant Muslim minorities (especially amongst converts to the faith via intermarriages to ethnicities such as Malays and Melanaus who are adherents of the said belief), but old traditional religions are still practiced in some areas. There are about 27 small indigenous groups that are classified as Orang Ulu such as:- This article about an ethnic group in Asia

689-652: 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

742-663: 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

795-518: 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

848-479: 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

901-618: Is a landlocked city located in the central region of Sarawak , Malaysia. It serves as 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

954-480: 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

1007-738: 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

1060-581: 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

1113-465: 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

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1166-569: 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

1219-488: 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

1272-644: 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

1325-510: 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,

1378-569: 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

1431-674: 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

1484-465: 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

1537-584: 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

1590-471: 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,

1643-477: 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,

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1696-569: 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

1749-524: 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

1802-473: 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

1855-407: 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 ,

1908-471: 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

1961-478: 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

2014-525: 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

2067-532: 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

2120-512: 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

2173-551: 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

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2226-593: 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

2279-552: 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

2332-516: 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

2385-458: 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

2438-407: The second royal visit to Sibu. Orang Ulu The Orang Ulu tribal groups are diverse, they typically live in longhouses elaborately decorated with murals and woodcarvings. They are also well known for their intricate beadwork detailed tattoos , rattan weaving, and other tribal crafts. The Orang Ulu tribes can also be identified by their unique music - distinctive sounds from their sapes ,

2491-516: The state capital, Kuching . Sibu is characterised by its diverse population, with 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

2544-621: 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

2597-559: 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 ,

2650-429: 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

2703-487: 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

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2756-453: Was finally opened as Sibu Heritage Council in 2011. The center is housed in the former building of Sibu Municipal Council. The center displays the cultural heritage and history of various ethnic groups in central Sarawak. It contains a collection of Chinese porcelain and clay vases. This article about a Malaysian building or structure is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Sibu Sibu / ˈ s iː b uː /

2809-541: 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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