Sarawak

SARAWAK (sah-rah'wa), an independent State in north west Borneo (q.v.), with an area of some 5o,000 sq.m. (about the size of England and Wales), a coast line of about Soo miles and a population estimated at half a million. It is bounded on the northwest by the China sea, on the northeast by British North Borneo and on the southeast by Dutch Borneo. Sarawak was originally part of the dominion of the Sultan of Brunei. In 184o Rajah Muda Hasim the uncle and heir-presumptive of the Sultan prevailed upon James Brooke (q.v.), an English %officer, to help him in suppressing a rebellion and in return for his services he ceded Sarawak to Brooke who became Rajah in September 1841. His appointment was acclaimed by the people and was confirmed by the Sultan in 1842. In 1863 Sarawak was recognized by the British Government as an independent State, and in 1888 a treaty was concluded by which, in return for British protection, H.M. Government took control of the relations of Sarawak with foreign states, but left the internal administration entirely in the hands of the Rajah. Sarawak differs in this respect from other Protectorates which are administered by British officials appointed by the Crown, and its status and government are unique in the Empire. There are Government Offices in Westminster where the affairs of Sarawak in England are managed by a Government agent in conjunction with an Advisory council.

Originally the area of Sarawak was about 7,00o sq.m., but since 1841 further territory has been obtained, notably, additions to the coast line in 1861 and 1882, the Trusan river in 1884, the Limbang river in 1890 and the Lawas river in 1904. Sir James Brooke, who was created K.C.B. in 1863, was succeeded in 1868 by his nephew, Sir Charles Johnson Brooke, G.C.M.G. who in turn was succeeded in 1917 by his son, Sir (Charles) Vyner Brooke, G.C.M.G., the present Rajah. Three generations of Brookes have thus administered the country with the aid of a civil service of British officials and Sarawak is a notable instance of a native state which has been developed under an enlightened policy into a highly organized community. The principal sources of revenue are customs, Government monopolies, rents and mineral royalties. The economic and financial position of the country is sound and there is no public debt. In recent years progress has been rapid. Various Departments of Government have been established, e.g., Public Works, Land, Trade and Customs, Fores try and Education, and there are European and General hospitals under a medical department which includes a Department of Public Health. Waterworks have been constructed in several places, wireless installations in communication with Singapore have been set up at various centres and considerable progress has been made in surveying the country by land and air. Churches and missions of different denominations have been established and the Anglican Bishop of Labuan and Sarawak has his headquarters at Kuching.

Ethnology.

The native population of Sarawak is composed of different races comprising Mohammedan Malays and various pagan tribes including Ibans or Dayaks, Muruts, Kayans, Ken yahs, Punans and Klemantans. There are also large numbers of

Chinese and a few other immigrants. The practice of head hunt ing which was once prevalent is now practically extinct. Slavery has also been abolished.

Climate, Physical Features and Fauna.

The climate of Sarawak, though tropical, is healthy for Europeans and the heat is never extreme. The thermometer rarely rises above 90° F and falls to 70° F at night, and the heat is often tempered by a cool breeze. The average annual rainfall at Kuching is 16o in. There is no marked division into wet and dry seasons but there is more rain from October to March. The country is mountainous and very well watered. The chief rivers are the Rejang, Baram, Limbang and Batang Lupar, all of which are navigable. The fauna is varied and includes anthropoid apes, monkeys, lemurs, wild cattle, deer, pigs and rhinoceros. Snakes and crocodiles are numerous.

Industry.

Sago and pepper of the best quality are cultivated, and both plantation rubber and jungle rubber (Jelutong) are largely exported. The coconut palm is grown and the illipe nut (engkabang) is another valuable product. There are more than 20 varieties of rattans some of which are of high quality. Cam phor and various other medicinal products are extracted from trees and plants. Coal is also found, but is not at present worked in large quantities, though there is a field, known to contain bitumi nous coal analogous to high grade Welsh coal, which may become important in the future. The principal mineral wealth is the oil field at. Miri where the first well was sunk in 1910. The produc tion in 1926 was 681,760 tons. At the instance of the late Rajah a reserve of oil is kept in store for the use of the British Navy.

Chief Towns.

Sarawak, distant nearly 9,00o miles from London, lies north of the equator and Kuching, the capital (I° 33' 1o" N., 110° 20' 13" E.), is situated on the Sarawak river about 23 miles inland. There are Government offices and a Court house, and a museum with a fine collection of Bornean exhibits. The European population of Kuching consists chiefly of Govern ment officers and their families. Sibu, on the Rejang river has a large population of Chinese traders. Miri, in the north, is the headquarters of the Sarawak Oilfields Ltd. and has grown in 13 years from a small village to a town with a population (1927) of about io,600 of which some 5,000 are employees of the com pany and about 30o are Europeans.

Communications.

Communication is chiefly by water, but there are good roads round Kuching, one of which stretches some 25 miles into Upper Sarawak. About 13, miles of railway are now open for traffic. There is a weekly service of steamers between Kuching and Singapore (4o hours) and a weekly service also between Miri and Singapore (about 21 days).

The following figures show the development of Sarawak in recent years.