About Sarawak

HomeAbout Sarawak

Sarawak is the largest state of Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo. The capital city is Kuching, the economic epicentre of the state. Other major cities include Sibu, Miri and Bintulu. Sarawak is famous for its many ethnicities and cultures as well as its wild and beautiful rainforests. Its abundant natural resources, strategic location, rapidly improving infrastructure and forward-thinking state policies make it a magnet for business investors.

About Sarawak
About Sarawak

History

Sarawak has a deep and rich history. The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 16th century. In 1839, James Brooke, a British explorer, arrived in Sarawak and was eventually governed by the Brooke family between 1841 and 1946. During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese for three years. After the war, the last White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, ceded Sarawak to Britain, and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony. On 22 July 1963, Sarawak was granted self-government by the British. Following this, it became one of the founding members of the Federation of Malaysia, established on 16 September 1963.

Nature & Culture

Sarawak is a spectacular natural wonderland, 70% covered by rainforest, with towering peaks, vast cave systems and an extraordinary level of biodiversity. Sarawak is home to 26 distinct ethnic groups, all with their own unique cultures, customs, traditions and languages. These many diverse cultures, live in enviable harmony and have come together to create a uniquely Sarawakian identity.

Climate

Located just north of the equator, Sarawak has a tropical climate with hot and wet weather year-round. Sarawak has a tropical rainforest climate with an average high of 31.7°C. Sarawak receives substantial rainfall throughout the year, with the wettest months of the year ranging from November to February.

Sarawak Geography

Sarawak is the largest of Malaysia’s 13 states. Located 600km from Peninsular Malaysia, it stretches about 800km along the northwest coast of the island of Borneo. Sarawak is just neighbouring Brunei, 75 minutes by air from Singapore, an hour and a half from Jakarta, three hours from Hong Kong and six hours from Japan.