Introduction

Sarawak is the bigger state of the two Malaysian territories occupying Borneo which is separated from the peninsula by the South China Sea, the other one being Sabah. It is fondly nicknamed Bumi Kenyalang (Land of the Hornbills.) Hornbills are aesthetically unique birds exclusively adopted as Sarawak's symbol (also incorporated into our logo.) 

Historically, Sarawak and its neighbour Sabah were granted independence from the British on July 22 1963 and joined the rest of Malaya to form Malaysia on September 16 1963. The administrative capital is Kuching Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu are the other established and well known town/cities.

Sarawak extends more than 750km along the north-east coastline of Borneo. Largely occupied by areas of low-lying coastal flatlands, hills, mountains, thick jungles, and some of the longest rivers in Southeast Asia, it is a genuine haven for nature-lovers.

Journeyers from all over the world are allured by the diverse essence of Sarawak encompassed by modern cities and rich heritages, thick jungles abound with distinctive flora and fauna, beautiful underwater marine life and coral reefs, and colourful multi-ethnic performances

Tourism is valued as a notable contributor to its economy and with more direct flights coming in from a number of countries, Sarawak is gearing up to be a prominent tourist spot. Other than popular attractions such as Kuching City, Gunung Mulu National Park, it is also home to the internationally renowned world music event Rainforest World Music Festival. Check out our “Places to Visit” and “Where to Eat” sections for further specific details on where to go, activities to indulge in, and culinary spots. We hope you will enjoy your visit here.

Kuching

The Borneo Convention Centre which opened in 2009 as the first dedicated centre of its kind in Borneo is located in Kuching which is the capital of and most populous city in Sarawak. Kuching is also the largest city in Borneo and considered the fourth largest urban area, inhabited by around 980,000 residents. Home to a variety of cultures and religions the people have an admirable amount of respect for each other's beliefs. Over here English is the most spoken language followed by Malay Language with Bahasa Sarawak dialect as the most prominent. It is widely known as one of the cleanest cities in Malaysia.

Weather

As it is with most of Malaysia, Sarawak is of equatorial climate with temperatures ranging 23°C - 32°C all year round. It is broadly dry and warm from March - September. Humidity is regularly high on the lowlands ranging 85%-95% while rainfall per year is between 3,300mm - 4,600 mm. Hopefully we will see a lot of sunshine during this conference, it is fortunately held at quite the right time as rainy weather is usually recorded at its highest only between November - February.

Culture

In an already uniquely multi-cultural Malaysia, Sarawak is amazingly considered one of the most vibrant states in terms of  ethnic groups, culture, and religion. It is home to various sub-ethnic groups each with its own particular way of life, tradition, and language/dialect.

The Ibans form the majority, followed by the Chinese and Malays, Bidayah, Melanau and other tribes. While most of the population occupy towns and cities, a significant percentage still live in longhouses and villages.

Traveller's Notes

• Primary Language: English, Malay
• Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
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Videos

• Sarawak Convention Bureau:
• Tourism Malaysia: