amazing world of MALAYSIA More to discover, Land of the Hornbill’s gems Kuching, Sarawak
Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is also the capital of Kuching Division. The city is on the Sarawak River at the southwest tip of the state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo and covers an area of 431 km2 (166 sq mi) with a population about 165,642 in the Kuching North administrative region and 159,490 in the Kuching South administrative region—a total of 325,132 people. Kuching street scene THE CAPITAL CITY OF SARAWAK
TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview of Sarawak Attractions in Sarawak Sarawak Cuisine Heritages in Sarawak Festival & Events in Sarawak Famous People Born in Sarawak State Anthem of Sarawak 2-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14
2 The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 16th century. In 1839, James Brooke, a British explorer, first arrived in Sarawak. Sarawak was later governed by the Brooke family between 1841 and 1946. During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese for three years. Over time, Sarawak has developed to form a rapidly growing city, supported by sustainable economic growth, diversity of culture, customs and race allowing the people to work together and unite in forming harmony and well-being within the state, aided by the strength of the administration that is fully supported by the people. Unlike the states in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is divided into divisions, 12 in all, as well as districts, each headed by an appointed resident. History of Sarawak Overview of
3 Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own language, culture and lifestyle. The larger towns and cities are occupied by Ibans, Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, Indians and a small percentage of Bidayuhs and Orang Ulu who have moved from their villages for employment. In general, there are six main ethnic groups in Sarawak: Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau and some minor ethnic groups that are collectively placed under ‘Others’ such as Indians, Serani, Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis, Murut and many more. The term Bumiputera Dayak has been officially used for the indigenous ethnic groups of Sarawak. Ethnics in Sarawak Sarawak
The 17-acre Sarawak Cultural Village is a Living Museum that has won awards, and it is located directly across from the Damai Beach Resort and Hotels. At the Sarawak Cultural Village, experience Sarawak in a Half-Day and discover the local customs and ways of life of the numerous ethnic groups in Sarawak. The Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu, Penan, Melanau, Malay, and Chinese are only a few of the prominent ethnic groups represented in the buildings at Sarawak Cultural Village. There are people from the various ethnic groups working in every building, dressed according to their culture. The staff members relate stories about and interpret our way of life. A multi-cultural dance performance by an award-winning dance group will be presented twice daily in the Village Theatre at Sarawak Cultural Village. At 11.30 am and 4 pm, our cultural programme is present. 4 Attractions in Sarawak
5 Semenggoh Wildlife Centre BAKO NATIONAL PARK Beautiful Scenary of In a natural area just 20 kilometres south of Kuching, orangutans can be found. The largest orangutan rehabilitation facility in Sarawak is the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Staying the night in one of the cosy chalets in the park, which have access to clean water and power from the main grid, will guarantee that you get to view the entire cast of animal characters. Amazing View of
6 Delicacies in Sarawak Sarawak Cuisine A dish that consists of noodles (often rice vermicelli) in a flavorful, spiced coconut milk broth. It is then topped with shredded chicken, shredded omelette, bean sprouts, prawns, and coriander. Anthony Bourdain, a well-known American chef, recommended this dish in 2015. A meal known as kolo mee or mee kolok is made of springy egg noodles, a sweet and sour shallot, lard, and vinegar sauce, with beef. The young fronds of the Stenochlaena palustris fern are stir-fried in the vegetable dish midin together with garlic, dry shrimp, or shrimp paste (belacan). Kek lapis Sarawak, often known as the Sarawak layer cake, is a multilayered cake with delicious layers interspersed in interesting patterns. It is a Sarawakian Malay dish that is served on holidays and special occasions. Laksa Sarawak Mee Kolok Midin Belacan Kek Lapis Sarawak
7 Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) is an indigenous seasonal fruit which grows naturally in the wild and can only be found in Borneo Island, especially Sarawak. In order to make ayam pansuh or manuk pansuh, chicken meat is cooked in a bamboo stalk that has been seasoned, filled with water (which will later be the soup), and covered with tapioca leaves from the cassava plant (later can be eaten together with the cooked chicken). The Melanau people eat linut as a staple. Sago flour and water are combined to create linut, which has a consistency similar to glue. People in Sarawak refer to it as linut, whereas those in Sabah refer to it as ambuyat. Sambal belacan is always served with the linut. Mee Belacan is a dish that the locals would eat usually during ‘tea time’, with a bowl of ais kacang of course. Mee Belacan consists of mee hoon which is soaked in plain water to soften it beforehand and it’s broth is then added together with sliced cucumbers, it’s sambal and sliced squid. It’s specialty is that you can add on century egg which is called ‘telur padi’ in Malay. Dabai Ayam Pansuh Linut Mee Belacan
8 Borneo Cultures Museum The New Sarawak Museum is a new landmark of Kuching city and consists of two buildings namely the Borneo Cultures Museum and Annex Office Building. The Borneo Cultures Museum is a modern five-storey building with a distinctive architectural design that reflects Sarawak’s unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage. Heritages in Sarawak
9 The building was built on 1930. It was known as Madrasah Melayu Sarawak. This historical building is located at P.Ramlee Road. This Museum also previously was used specifically to train more teachers in higher-level Malay education. Was used as the administrative center for the government of Sarawak until 1973. In 2003, the building was converted into the Sarawak Tourism Complex. The building consists of 4 blocks and it is covered with iron wood roof. SARAWAK ISLAMIC HERITAGE MUSEUM OLD KUCHING COURTHOUSE CHARLES BROOKE MEMORIAL
10 Festival & Events in Sarawak The Gawai Dayak festival, officially celebrated yearly on 1 June in Sarawak, is both a religious and social festival. Gawai means ritual or festival and Dayak is a collective name for the tribes of Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and more. The festival is also an extended thanksgiving celebration before the new farming season begins. The Rainforest World Music Festival (often abbreviated as RWMF) is an annual threeday music festival celebrating the diversity of world music, held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts. GAWAI FESTIVAL RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
11 KUCHING FOOD FESTIVALS The Kuching Festival is held annually to maintain part of the city’s plan to boost the local tourism and food industry. Visitors to the festival can enjoy various events held throughout the month of August, including dramatic performances, musical concerts, galleries, exhibitions, essay writing competition and many more. It is supported by the Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry, Kuching North City Hall, Kuching South City Council and private sector partners.
12 Famous People DATO PANDELELA RINONG DAYANG NURFAIZAH Diver Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg, was born in Malaysia on March 2, 1993. She has taken home two Olympic medals and seven medals from the World Championships. Pandelela was born to Hartini Lamim and Pamg Joheng in (Kampung) Kupuo Jugan, a Bidayuh village in Bau, Sarawak. She is a Bumiputera of Bidayuh origin who was born in Sarawak, Malaysia. She was chosen as a state diver when she was seven years old, and she continued her training at the Bukit Jalil Sports School. 2018 saw her graduate with a major in Sports Management Science from the University of Malaya. Pandelela is fluent in Mandarin, her native Bidayuh language, Malay, and English. Malaysian singer Dayang Nurfaizah Awang Dowty was born on July 20, 1981. Dayang began her career at the age of 18, and since then, she has produced seven studio albums, won numerous domestic and international accolades, and established herself as the top voice artist in the world. Dayang Nurfaizah was born in Kuching, Sarawak. Dayang’s amazing skill has been apparent since his early years, when she began experimenting in singing in elementary school. Dayang began taking part in a number of singing contests in her home state, among which she won Bintang Asli Remaja 1996, advanced to the final round of Bintang Remaja Sarawak 1996, and ultimately won the 1997 competition.
13 Born in Sarawak HAFIZ SUIP HENRY GOLDING Mohd Hafiz bin Mohd Suip (born 27 February 1990) is a Malaysian singer who became popular since winning the seventh season of Akademi Fantasia. Hafiz is the eldest of three siblings from Kuching, Sarawak. After completing his studies at SMK St Joseph, he participated in the Akademi Fantasia reality competition in early 2009 after passing the audition in Kuching. In May, Hafiz who was then 19 years old won the title of Akademi Fantasia champion this season. In order to share memories with fans, Hafiz also hosted a special show Menuju Puncak on Astro Ria not long after. Henry Ewan Golding is a Malaysian-British actor and television host who was born on 5 February 1987. Since 2014, Golding has hosted The Travel Show on the BBC. In addition to playing Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians, the title role in the actionadventure Snake Eyes, Sean Townsend in the thriller A Simple Favor, and Tom in the love story Last Christmas, all of which were directed by Paul Feig, he is well known for his acting in movies. Golding was born in Malaysia’s Betong district, in Sarawak. His mother, Margaret Likan Golding, was born and raised in Sarawak and is descended from the local Dayak Iban tribe. His father, Clive Golding, is British.
Sarawak Tanah Airku Negeriku Tanah Airku Sarawak Engkaulah Tanah Pusakaku Tanah Tumpah Darahku Ibu Pertiwiku Rakyat Hidup Mesra Dan Bahagia Damai Muhibbah Sentiasa Bersatu Berusaha Berbakti Untuk Sarawakku Cintai Sarawak Dalam Malaysia Aman Makmur Rahmat Tuhan Maha Esa Kekallah Sarawak Bertuah Teras Perjuangan Rakyat Berjaya Berdaulat State Anthem of Sarawak