Limbang
Limbang is a border town and the capital of Limbang District in the Limbang Division of northern Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It is located on the banks of the Limbang River (Sungai Limbang in Malay), between the two halves of Brunei.
History
The Limbang District, which today is part of Sarawak, was originally part of the Sultanate of Brunei following the founding of the Bruneian Empire and remained so until the reign of Sultan Hashim. However, it was only after the signing of the Treaty of Protection of 1888 that Brunei lost control over the territory, taken by force. This treaty eventually did not save Brunei from foreign intervention because the British did not prevent Charles Brooke from seizing Limbang in 1890. In 1901 and 1902, Brooke and Hewett asked Sultan Hashim to cede Belait and Tutong to them but Sultan Hashim refused and said, “What would happen to me, my chiefs and my descendants? I should be left like a tree, stripped of branches and twigs”.
“The loss of Limbang had crippled him (Sultan Hashim), like the loss of a limb”, Malcolm McArthur, 1904.
Demographics
|
Ethnicity of Limbang |
Population of Limbang |
|---|---|
| Malay/Kedayan | 14,259 |
| Iban | 13,844 |
| Bisaya | 5,967 |
| Lun Bawang/Kelabit | 2,466 |
| Bidayuh | 400 |
| Melanau | 300 |
| Penan | 138 |
| Tabun | 158 |
| Chinese | 7,300 |
| Others | 200 |
| Non-Malaysian Citizen | 1,200 |
| Total | 49,062 |
Economy developments
Limbang economic importance was realised from the 15th century until now. When Limbang was still under the rule of Brunei, Limbang was considered as the "Rice Bowl" of Brunei as Limbang was a major producer and supplier of sago and rice to Brunei. Its economic importance was also one of the reason why Limbang was seized by Rajah Charles Brooke of Sarawak.
Education
Primary School
- SJK (C) Chung Hwa Limbang
- SK Limbang
- SK Melayu Pusat
- SK Kampung Pahlawan
- SK St. Edmund
- SK Menuang
- SK Batu Danau
- SK Pengkalan Jawa
- SK Tedungan
- SK Bukit Luba
- SK Tanjong
- SK Meritam
- SK Ukong
- SK Nanga Medamit
- SK Long Napir
- SK Kuala Mendalam
- SK Nanga Merit
- SK Kubong
- SK RC Kubong
- SK Gadong
Secondary School
- SMK Seri Patiambun Limbang
- SMK Medamit
- SMK Limbang
- SMK Kubong
- SMK(A) Limbang
Transport
Air
Limbang is served by Limbang Airport, which also serves the whole of Limbang District.
Road
Owing to its geographical location, Limbang is completely cut off from the rest of Sarawak's road network. It however has good road links to both parts of Brunei located to the east and west of the district. There is also a good local network of roads in the district.
There are two road border crossing checkpoints in Limbang district, both into Brunei.
- Tedungan: Located 43 km west of Limbang, it is the road crossing into the main part of Brunei from Limbang. The Brunei checkpoint is called Kuala Lurah.
- Pandaruan: This checkpoint is located 15 km east of Limbang on the Pandaruan River which forms the border between Sarawak and Brunei's Temburong district. The crossing used to have to be done by ferry. The checkpoint on the Brunei side is called Puni and operates out of a wooden building located 500 m from the ferry landing point. Pandaruan Bridge open on 8 December 2013 eliminating the need to cross the river by ferry.
As the only road connection to outside the district is through Brunei, one must have a passport to travel into or out of Limbang.
Notable places
Limbang Regional Museum
The Limbang Regional Museum is located in a fort built by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1897. It is located in the area annexed to Sarawak by the White Rajah in 1890.
Taman Tasik Bukit Mas
Taman Tasik Bukit Mas (literal translation: Gold Hill Lake Park) is a recreational park set in Limbang's iconic feature Bukit Mas. The park is a favourable place for Limbang residents to spend their evening, doing recreational activities. Various facilities had been set up in the park, such as children's playground, lake, barbecue site, suspension bridge and toilet.
Limbang Plaza
Located in the town centre, and often dubbed as the definite centre of Limbang, is Limbang Plaza. This building mainly consists of three components: Purnama Hotel, a shopping mall and various government offices (located right on the top of the mall). It's also good for other business and pleasures.
Currently the mall have about 50 shopping outlets, with a local supermarket chain, Queen as the main tenant. Apart from these, the Limbang Plaza shopping mall is also a place to the famous food outlet, KFC and former tenant Pizza Hut (closed in 2007)
Pasar Tamu
"Pasar Tamu" is a local gathering where village folks came to the town of Limbang to sell their goods. Usually it is held on Friday every week, but preparations can be seen on Thursday.
The market has attracted not only local residents, but also Bruneians.
Notable Residents
- Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg - The Current Chief Minister of Sarawak.
- James Wong (politician) - the former Chief Minister of Sarawak.
- Hasbi Habibollah - Malaysian Politician.
References
External links
 |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Limbang. |
