Sarikei Division is one of the twelve administrative divisions in Sarawak, Malaysia. Formerly part of the Third Division, which included Sibu and Kapit, Sarikei Division has a total area of , and is the second smallest of the administrative divisions of Sarawak.
Sarikei Division contains four administrative districts: Sarikei, Meradong, Julau and Pakan.
History and background The early history of Sarikei can be traced as far back as the early 19th century. There are many historical events to show its existence. Rajah James Brooke first visited Sarikei on 30 April 1845. There was also resistance from the local people towards Brooke's administration, including the burning of Sarikei on 4 January 1856 and the Julau Expedition on 19 June 1856, which was led by Sir Charles Brooke to counter the native resistance in Julau.
The establishment of Sarikei as a new division was mainly based on security consideration. Datu Wilson Baya Dandot, the Deputy State Secretary (Planning and Development) in his article entitled "Sarawak’s Unique Administrative Identity: Establishment of Divisional, District and Sub-District Machinery For Enhancing Development Administration" said that the establishment of Sarikei as the Sixth Division then was due to the security threats posed by the communist insurgency which was at its height at that time. It was felt that with the establishment of a new Sarikei Division the government would be able to concentrate and focus more in its efforts to contain and counter the security problem in the area.
Residents Roll of Honor Chin Ting Ming Datuk Wan Hashim Bin Tuanku Taha Tuan Hj Adenan B Hj Aman Tuan Hj Mohd Iskandar B Abdullah Noel Hudson Laga Patrick Rigep Nuek Nilie Tangai Jolhi B Hj Saar Tuan Hj Mohd Atei Abang Medaan Liaw Soon Eng Sim Nyuk Foh Isaka Kana
Demographics The total population is 115,529. The population is ethnically mixed, with half of the population is Iban followed by Melanau, Malay, Bidayuh and Chinese predominating. The majority of the people live in Sarikei town.
+ Sarikei Division ethnic statistics Administrative districtTotal populationMalayIbanBidayuhMelanauOrang UluChineseIndian EurasianNon-citizen Sarikei 56,228 9,192 18,559 456 3,933 594 21,772 116 370 1,236 Meradong 28,713 4,450 12,322 217 1,489 282 8,731 93 92 1,037 Julau 15,449 245 14,504 59 60 94 435 7 12 30 Pakan 15,139 125 14,423 26 39 136 289 13 35 53Total Sarikei Division115,52914,01259,8087585,5211,10631,2272295092,356
Economy The economy of the division is mostly agricultural. Sarikei Division produces more pepper than any other divisions in Sarawak. It is also famous for fruits, especially pineapples and oranges. The timber industry, as elsewhere in Sarawak, is also a major component of the local economy.
Administration
Members of Parliament Parliament Member of Parliament Party P206 Tanjung Manis YB Tuan Yusuf Abd WahabGPS (PBB) P208 Sarikei YB Tuan Wong Ling BiuPH (DAP) P209 Julau YB Tuan Larry S'ngIND
Member of State Assembly
# Constituency Member of state assembly Party Preceded byN41Kuala Rajang (previously known as Belawai) Len Talif Salleh BN-PBB Len Talif Salleh (BN-PBB) N42 Semop Abdullah Saidol BN-PBB Abdullah Saidol (BN-PBB) N45Repok Huang Tiong Sii BN-SUPP Wong Hua Seh(PH-DAP) N46 Meradong Ding Kuong Hiing BN-SUPP Ting Tze Fui(PH-DAP)N47Pakan William Mawan Ikom BN William Mawan Ikom (TERAS)N48Meluan Rolland Duat JubinBN-SPDP Wong Judat (SWP)
Transportation Sarikei is the centre of the administrative division and it can be reached by land, water and air transportation via Sibu Airport.
Public transport From To Transportation Duration Kuching International Airport Sibu Airport Flight 35–40 minutes Sibu Airport Sarikei Bus/Taxi (from Sibu Town Centre) 64 km/45 minutes Terminal Ekspress Bintawa, Kuching Terminal 1, Sarikei Express bot 3 hours 30 minutes Kuching Sentral Terminal Bas Ekspress Sarikei Express bus 360 km/6 hours
Own transport One also can drive from Kuching to Sarikei (360 km/6 hours) or from Sibu to Sarikei (64 km/45 minutes).
See also Sarawak Sarikei
References
External links