ALL ABOUT SARAWAK

Sarawak is located on the island of Borneo, and is one of the two states that make up East Malaysia. Sarawak and Sabah are separated from West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) by the South China Sea. With an area of 124,449.51 square kilometres, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, making up some 37.5% of the country's total area. The State is divided into eleven Administrative Divisions.

Kuching is the State capital and the administrative centre for the First Division of Sarawak. It is home to some 458,300 people making it the highest populated city in Sarawak.

Topographically, Sarawak may be broadly classified into three principal terrain groups: the alluvial coastal plain, the mountainous interior and the central belt of generally undulating country between the coastal plain and the interior. Sarawak is a tropical state with an equatorial climate. It is hot and humid throughout the year with average daily temperature ranging from 23°C during the early hours of the morning to 32°c during the day.

Sarawak's forests are the state's most important resource and asset, producing timber and a multitude of forest products. The rainforest is home to an incredible variety of more than 8,000 species of flora and over 20,000 fauna, the majority of which are insects.

As the Sarawak government pursues its economic diversification policy, it has made available attractive incentives to all investors in the State. This range of special incentives is an addition to the ones already made available by the Malaysian Government to foreign investors. To ensure a steady supply of competent, productive and skilled workforce to meet the needs of industries in the State, the Ministry of Industrial Development of Sarawak is working closely with education institutions in the country.

History of Sarawak

Sarawak's history is like a story out of a novel filled with enthralling characters that played important roles in its past set against a colourful yet beautiful background. From the Sarawak River banks where James Brooke first landed to the interior and coastlines of the state, its past had always exuded a mysterious and alluring time.

James Brooke

The Brooke era chronicles the time ruled by three generations of an English family whose first foray into Sarawak came with James Brooke, the first White Rajah. In 1839, James Brooke arrived in Kuching to deliver a letter to the governor of Sarawak, Rajah Muda Hashim. At the time, Sarawak was under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate and in a state of mayhem and rebellion from the Malays and Bidayuh who had been forced into hard labour by the Governor. With the Brunei power deteriorating and Rajah Muda Hashim unable to control the uprising, he requested for James Brooke to intercede and bring about a peaceful settlement with the natives. Brooke's success was rewarded with a sizable territory in Sarawak. He was also installed as the White Rajah of Sarawak in 1842. Rajah Brooke died in 1868 but not before expanding his territory.

Charles Brooke

His nephew Charles Brooke succeeded him. It is recorded that Charles Brooke was a capable, organized ruler who brought about a proper system of government and extension of Sarawak's borders. During the Japanese occupation from 1941 - 1945, Charles and his family fled to Australia. Throughout this time, the economic and administrative infrastructure of the state suffered, affecting, as well, the people of Sarawak.

The Japanese's hold on Sarawak began to unravel upon the arrival of the British and Australian troops, who landed in the Kelabit Highlands. By 1945, the Japanese surrendered. The return of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke to Sarawak saw his resumption of his role as the White Rajah on 15 April 1946 - Sarawak had been placed under the Australian Military Administration prior to his return.

Charles Vyner Brooke

Sir Charles' announcement to relinquish Sarawak to Britain resulted in the matter being brought up before the Council Negri. For three days the issue was discussed and thus, the council agreed by 19 votes against 16. Sarawak's colonization by the British on 1 July 1946 caused a division amongst the people while hundreds of government officers and teachers resigned from government service in protest. In 1949, Rosli Dhobi assassinated the second British Governor of Sarawak, Duncan Steward. The former was executed for his role in the anti-cession movement.

Symbols

In 1988, coinciding with Sarawak's 25th Anniversary of Independence, the State adopted a new State flag, State crest, State bird and State anthem .

The State Flag

Red symbolizes the courage, determination and sacrifices of the people in their tireless pursuit to attain and maintain progress and esteem in the course of creating a model state. Yellow signifies the supremacy of law and order, unity and stability in diversity. Black represents the rich natural resources of Sarawak such as petroleum and timber which provide the foundation for the advancement of the people. The yellow, nine-pointed star embodies the nine divisions which made up the state of Sarawak at the time (now, there are eleven divisions). The star symbol also embodies the aspirations of the people of Sarawak in their quest to improve their quality of life.

This flag was first hoisted at the Kuching State Stadium on 31 August 1988 in celebration of Sarawak's 25th Anniversary of Independence.

The State Crest

The State Crest is represented by a symbolic figure of a wing-spread Kenyalang (hornbill) - the State bird - with a shield bearing the state flag on its chest. The hornbill's tail and wings are comprised of thirteen feathers or strips that represent the thirteen states in Malaysia. The Bunga Raya (Hibiscus) - the national flower - appears on the right and left sides of the bird's legs. The hornbill is perched on a ribbon bearing the words "Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti" (United, Industrious, Dedicated) . The crest became official on the same day as the current state flag.

Sarawak State Anthem

Composed by Wan Othman Hamid (b.1931) and with lyrics by Ismail Hassan (1922-1991). The state anthem of Sarawak entitled Ibu Pertiwi Ku was adopted in 1988.


Ibu Pertiwi Ku

Sarawak Tanah Air Ku
Negeri Ku Tanah Air Ku Sarawak
Engkaulah Tanah Pusaka Ku
Tanah Tumpah Darah Ku
Ibu Pertiwi Ku
Rakyat Hidup Mesra dan Bahagia
Damai Muhibbah Sentiasa
Bersatu Berusaha Berbakti
Untuk Sarawak Ku Cintai

Sarawak Dalam Malaysia
Aman Makmur Rahmat Tuhan Maha Esa
Kekallah Sarawak Bertuah
Teras Perjuangan Rakyat
Berjaya Berdaulat

The State Bird

Our state bird is the majestic Rhinoceros Hornbill, the inspiration for the state crest. Because there are many species of hornbill in Sarawak, the state is also known as the "Land of the Hornbills" or "Bumi Kenyalang".

The rhinoceros hornbill, with its upswept phallic casque, represents one of the most powerful Dayak gods, Singalang Burong, who plays an important part in Iban religious festivals, especially Gawai Kenyalang.

Hornbills like to eat figs and play a great role in the "dispersal of figs"- a process which leads to the regeneration of Sarawak's forest ecosystem.

Geography

LOCATION

(Source from Google Earth)

Sarawak is located on the island of Borneo, and is one of the two states that make up East Malaysia. Sarawak and Sabah are separated from West Malaysia (Peninsula Malaysia) by the South China Sea. With an area of 124,449.51 square kilometres, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, making up some 37.5% of the country's total area.

Located immediately north of the Equator between latitude 0° 50° and 5°N and longitude 109° 36' and 115° 40' E, Sarawak stretches some 800km along north-west coast of the island of Borneo. Sarawak is separated from Peninsular Malaysia to the west by about 600km of South China Sea and directly adjoins the State of Sabah to the north-east where the sultanate of Brunei forms a double enclave. Inland, the State borders with Kalimantan, Indonesia.

TOPOGRAPHY

Topograhically, Sarawak is divided into three areas with different terrains- the swampy coastal areas, narrow and hilly rural areas and the mountainous interior. The interior is still mostly covered by lush tropical rainforest which are rich inflora and founa and natural underground cave structures such as the Mulu Caves, which are reputed to be among the biggest in the world.

Sarawak's highest peak at 2,424 ,metres in Gunung Murud located in the interior of the State's Miri Division in the North. It is drained by many rivers and waterways of various lengths and sizes, the longest being the Batang Rajang. The mighty Batang Rajang , the longest river in Malaysia , winds through different terrains for 564km from its source in the interior of Kapit Division to Sibu and Sarikei divisions before emptying itself into the South China Sea.

Being Near to the Equator, Sarawak has a hot and humid climate all year round with ground temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees centigrade.

(Source from Celebrating the Era of Glory, Department of Information Services)

DIVISIONS AND MAJOR TOWNS

Sarawak is divided into elevant administrative divisions. The major towns and cities in Sarawak is located at heart of each division.