Kapit

Kapit
Chinese transcription(s)
 • Simplified 加帛
The Kapit skyline
Kapit
Coordinates: 2°01′0″N 112°56′0″E / 2.01667°N 112.93333°E / 2.01667; 112.93333Coordinates: 2°01′0″N 112°56′0″E / 2.01667°N 112.93333°E / 2.01667; 112.93333
Country  Malaysia
State  Sarawak
Population (2013)
 • Total 18,000
Website www.kapitdc.sarawak.gov.my

Kapit is a town and the capital of Kapit District in Kapit Division, Sarawak, Malaysia on the south bank of the Rajang River. The district comprises 15,595.6 square kilometres and as of 2002 has a population of 60,200.

Although accessible only by boat (slightly more than 2 hours from Sibu by express boat) or light aircraft, it is the vibrant commercial and social center for the middle Rajang River catering to the longhouse communities and timber camps. It is an excellent base for exploring nearby longhouses or for arranging trips to the Upper Rejang and Balleh Rivers.

History

During the reign of Rajah Charles Brooke, a "Fort Kapit" was built in Kapit in 1880 to prevent the Iban from migrating up-river and attacking Orang Ulu settlements.[1] With the security provided by the fort, the area surrounding the fort was settled by Hoklo (Hokkien) Chinese in 1880, additional Hakka Chinese immigrants arrived in 1906, and Fuzhou Chinese in 1919. The Hokkiens worked as labourers while the Hakkas worked as farmers before venturing into businesses. Hock Leong Tieng Temple was built by the Chinese in 1889. Tai San Ten Association was formed in 1935 to serve the interests of Hokkiens and Hakkas.[1] In 1924, a peace treaty was signed between the Iban and the Orang Ulu people at Fort Kapit, thus ending the hostilities between the two tribes permanently.[2] In 1925, "Fort Kapit" was renamed as Fort Sylvia, after the wife of Rajah Vyner Brooke, Rani Sylvia Brooke.[1] The fort had withstood floods in 1887, 1934, 1961 and 1983.[2] On 28 January 1934, Kapit experienced the most severe flood in history with water level as high as 162 feet (49 m).[1]

In 1941, at the time of the Japanese occupation, Kapit only had two rows of 37 shophouses. The town was completely destroyed by allied bombing during the war.

On 15 February 1962, 51 elected Iban chiefs had a meeting in Kapit to discuss the terms and proposals of the formation of federation of Malaysia.[3]

Kapit was upgraded into a division on 2 April 1973.[4]

Government

Built in 1880, Fort Sylvia once housed the Kapit district office and a magistrate court. After 1973, it housed the Kapit Divisional Office.[5]

Geography and climate

Kapit is located 140 km upriver from Sibu along the Rajang River.[1]

Demographics

Immaculate Conception Church was first established in Kapit in 1882. The church celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2012.[6]

Transport

A view at the Kapit wharf terminal.

Kapit is reachable by express boats from Sibu plying the Rajang river. Kapit is also reachable through one hour ride by express boats from Song. Kapit river transport is served by the Kapit express boat terminal.[1]

Other utilities

Education

  • SMK Selirik
  • SMK Kapit No.2
  • SMK Kapit
  • SMK Balleh
  • SK Ng Metah
  • SK Ng Merit
  • SK Ng Meluan
  • SK Ng Ibau
  • SK Ng Bawai
  • SK Methodist
  • SK Lubok Baya
  • SK Sungai Tunoh
  • SK Sungai Paku
  • SK Sungai Amang
  • SK Ng Yong
  • SK Ng Tiau
  • SK Ng Stapang
  • SK Ng Peraran
  • SK Kapit
  • SK Bebangan
  • SJK (C) Hock Lam
  • SK Sungai Kapit
  • SK Lepong Gaat

Culture and leisure

Historical

Fort Sylvia is located in the town centre. It houses the museum for Tun Jugah foundation.

There is a museum housed inside Fort Sylvia today. The museum is managed by Tun Jugah foundation. The museum exhibits the photographs and documents depicting the early history of Kapit, photographs and momentos of Jugah Barieng (an Iban paramount leader), Iban constumes, textiles, mural paintings, and Sarawak amber carvings.[7] There is another museum housed at Kapit civic centre.[2]

Built in 1898, Hock Leong Tieng temple is one of the oldest heritage buildings in Kapit. The temple was built with materials and workforce shipped from China in its early days. During World War II, the temple was spared from bombings by Japanese or Allied forces.[8]

Rumah Bundong is one of the oldest longhouses in Kapit. It is located 40 km from town centre. The 50 metre high Wong Tinggi waterfall is located at one hour walk from the longhouse.[2]

Shopping

Teresang Market is the largest market in the town of Kapit which sells a variety of daily necessities. It opens from 4 am in the morning until 7 pm at night.[1] Local handicrafts such as rattan products and colourful bead bags are also sold here.[2] Kapit town square is surrounding with shops selling everything from noodles to ropes.[9]

Food

Kapit is known for its Empurau fish which can sold as high as RM 500 per kilogramme for its rarity and unique taste when being served as an exotic dish. Dishes such as Riang and Rampo are fishes and shrimps cooked using leaves from the forests. A plant called Tubu is used as the natural flavour enhancer.[2]

Attractions and recreational spots

Pelagus Rapids resort is located at one hour boat ride from Kapit town. The resort was closed since 2012 due to low occupancy rate.[10][11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Reminiscing Kapit's rich history". The Borneo Post. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zora, Chan. "Kapit offers plenty for tourists and adventure seekers". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. ↑ Desmond, Davidson (27 November 2015). "A clash of history and politics in Sarawak's English language move". The Edge Markets. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Pengenalan Bahagian Kapit (Introduction of Kapit Division)". Majlis Daerah Kapit (Kapit District Council). Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Kuil Hock Leong Tieng Kapit". Kapit District Office. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Catholic Kapit church celebrates 130th anniversary". Today Catholic Online. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Fort Sylvia". Tun Jugah Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "Kuil Hock Leong Tieng Kapit". Kapit District Council. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  9. ↑ Jeremy, Atiyah (2002). Southeast Asia. Rough Guides. p. 765. ISBN 9781858288932. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  10. ↑ Lian, Cheng (17 July 2015). "Death of a white elephant". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "State urged to reopen jungle resort in Kapit". The Star (Malaysia). 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.