Education

Kuching is home to the international campus of Swinburne University of Technology, a branch of a major university from Melbourne, Australia. The campus, known as Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, now currently in expansion, is not the only university in Kuching city. Branch campus of UNITAR and UNIMAS's Medical College are located in Kuching. (Technically, the campuses of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and UiTM are in the Samarahan Division). The Polytechnic of Kuching is located at the further end of Matang Road in the Serapi Mountain which provides further education at the diploma and certificate levels.

Private education in the city comes in the form of various private colleges as well as training institutes. Notable examples include King Business Institute, IBMS, Inti College, SeGI College, Taylor College, Chermai College, PTPTL College as well as Stamford College to name a few.

For primary and secondary education, like other towns in Malaysia, Kuching has it equal shares of the 'sekolah kebangsaan'(National type schools), Chinese schools, mission schools, several international school and minus the Indian School. The mission schools were founded by foreign Christian missionaries during the Colonial occupation. Most Chinese schools were built and continuously sponsored by the rich Chinese businessmen. The older sekolah kebangsaan were formerly Malay schools which were converted by the Ministry of Education into day school. All schools are now under the charge of the Ministry of Education. The two International Schools are Lodge and Tunku Putra. These were built to cater to the children of expatriates and parents who wish to have an English-based education for their children

Geography

Kuching is situated at the banks of the Sarawak River on the North-Western part of the island of Borneo. The longitude and latitude of Kuching is 01°33' N, 110°25' E.

The climate in Kuching is tropical, moderately hot and receives substantial rainfall. The average annual rainfall is approximately 4,000 mm or 160 inches. Kuching is the wettest city in Malaysia. The wettest times are during the North-East Monsoon months of November to February. The temperature of Kuching ranges from 20 °C to 38 °C but the average temperature is around 23 °C in the early hours of the morning and rises to around 33 °C in the mid afternoon. This temperature stays almost constant throughout the year if it is not affected by the heavy rain and strong winds during the early hours of the morning which would rarely bring the temperature down to 20 °C. The temperature would also rise to 38 °C under rare cases due to the haze caused by open burning from Indonesia during the dry season but it is a good thing that haze rarely occurs in Kuching.

Kuching receives an annual average of five hours of sunshine per day. In January, during the height of the monsoon season, the average sunshine per day is approximately 3.7 hours. The heavy rains during this period sometimes results in flooding.

Demographics

Kuching has the 4th largest urban area in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley, Ipoh and Johor Bahru. It was also voted as the most healthiest and cleanest city in Malaysia.

The population of 579,900 (2006 census; Kuching City South - 143,500; Kuching City North - 133,600; Padawan- 3rd Mile/ 7th Mile/ 10th Mile - 302,800) in the city is made up of a mixture of Chinese (220,400), Malays (207,000), Ibans (58,100) and some Indians and other ethnic groups. The Dayaks can be further categorized into Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus and many others. The Chinese are made up of Fujianese (Hokkien) in the city areas and Hakka in the suburbs mainly. Other Chinese consist of Foochow (Fuzhou), Teochew, Hainanese, Cantonese, Henghua and others. Another colourful side of Kuching is the number of mixed marriages between the races that crosses not only two cultures into one but children with two, three or more heritages.

The main religions of the peoples of Kuching are Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. Malays practice Islam and all Malays are Muslim by law. Chinese practice either Buddhism or Christianity. Most Dayaks are Christian except the Melanaus who are mainly Muslim.

The majority of people in Kuching are capable of communicating in Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) as well as English. English ability can however vary greatly from person to person. The dialect of the Malay language spoken in Kuching is known as Bahasa Melayu Sarawak (Sarawakian Malay Language), which has lexical differences with the dialect spoken in Peninsular Malaysia.

On top of Malay and English, a Kuchingite can usually speak his own ethnic dialect/language. An Iban can speak Iban, a Bidayuh speak Bidayuh and the Chinese usually several Chinese dialects, the most common being Hokkien and Mandarin in Kuching but so far, mandrin has been widely spoken language than hokkien since it is well known by all other chinese ethnic. For the Bidayuhs, the dialect of Bidayuh spoken in one kampung/village may vary greatly with another kampung/village. It is also common to find people who can speak more than just Malay, English and their native tongue, not only due to the wide practice of mixed marriages but because of the close rapport amongst the people of Kuching.

A small minority however, speak English as their first language.

Hock Lee Centre

Strategically located at Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim , with neighbouring commercial centre, financial district, and shopping areas, the mall consists of 4 levels with over 60 retail lots, a departmental store, entertainment centre and 2 basement car parks. Hock Lee's tenants include apparel, shoes, leather goods and optical care centers, pharmacies, specialty stores, gift shops and a supermarket. For mouth-watering cuisine, there is a food-court and Chinese Restaurant as well. For a quick meal, one can opt for snacks they have in Hock Lee. The entertainment park at the mall offers virtual video games and kiddies' rides. The concept of the mall is accessibility, convenience and the ability to cater a wide range of needs and wants for all customers. The anchor tenants of Hock Lee Centre are the variety Ladies Clothing's, a comprehensive Ladies Shopping Heaven. Hock Lee Centre is designed to be shopper-friendly with soothing decor, convenient layout and comprehensive amenities. It creates a friendly and unique shopping experience for everyone. Hock Lee Centre opens daily from 10.30am.

Gawai Dayak

Date: 1 June

Gawai Day or Gawai Dayak is a festive celebrated in Sarawak on 1 June every year is both a religious and social occasion. The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the natives races in Sarawak; the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut people and a few more. Thus Gawai Dayak literally means "Dayak Festival". Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day. Such visit is more known as "ngabang" in Iban language. Those far away would receive greeting cards.

How it all started can be traced back to a 1957 radio forum held by Mr Ian Kingsley, a radio programme organiser. This generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community. The mode of celebrations varies from place to place. Preparation starts very early. Tuak (rice wine) are brewed and traditional delicacies like penganan (cakes from rice flour, sugar and coconut milk) prepared. As the big day approaches, everyone will be busy with the general cleaning and preparing the food or cakes. On Gawai Eve, glutinous rice is roasted in bamboo (ngelulun pulut). In the longhouse, new mats will be laid out on the ruai (an open gallery which runs through the entire length of the longhouse). The walls of most bilik (rooms) and the ruai are decorated with pua kumbu (traditional blanket).

The celebration starts on the evening of 31 May. In most Iban's longhouse, it starts with a ceremony called Muai Antu Rua (to cast away the spirit of greediness), signifying the non-interference of the spirit of bad luck in the celebration. Two children or men each dragging a chapan (winnowing basket) will pass each family's room. Every family will throw some unwanted article into the basket. The unwanted articles will be tossed to the ground from the end of the longhouse for the spirit of bad luck.

Around 6 pm, miring (offering ceremony) will take place. Before the ceremony, gendang rayah (ritual music) is performed. The feast chief thanks the gods for the good harvest, ask for guidance, blessings and long life as he sacrifices a cockerel. Dinner will then be served at the ruai. While waiting for midnight, the folks gather and mingle at the ruai and berandau (talk/converse). Meanwhile, drinks, traditional cakes and delicacies are served.

At midnight, the gong is sounded. The tuai rumah will lead everyone to drink the Ai Pengayu (normally tuak for long life) and at the same time wishing each other "gayu-guru, gerai-nyamai" (long life, health and prosperity). A procession up and down the ruai called Ngalu Petara (Welcoming the Spirits) will follow. The celebration by now will get more merrier. Some will dance to the traditional music played. Others will sing the pantun (poems). In the town, the Dayak will gather at the community centres or restaurants to enliven the evening.

Other activities that may follow the next day include cock-fighting, demonstration of blowpipe skills and ngajat competitions. On this day, 1 June, the homes of the Dayaks will be opened to visitors. In the longhouses, there is a practises called masu pengabang where guests will be served with tuak by the host before they can enter the longhouse. Christian Dayaks will attend a church mass to thank God for the good harvest. Gawai Dayak celebration may last for several days. Visitors are most welcome to the homes of the Dayaks during the festival. It is also during this time of year that many Dyak weddings take place, as it is one of the rare occasions that all the members of the community assemble at the long house.

Up till 1962, British colonial government still refused to give recognition to the Dayak Day. Gawai Dayak was formally gazetted on 25 September 1964 as a public holiday in place of Sarawak Day. It was first celebrated on 1st June 1965 and became a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community. Today, it is an integral part of Dayak social life. It is a thanksgiving day marking good harvest and a time to plan for the new farming season or activities ahead.

Kueh Chap

A classic and uniquely Teochew fastfood is the Kueh Chap; a syrupy thick serving of flat, triangular pieces of rice noodles in a mysterious concoction of soya sauce and whatnot, enriched with every imaginable parts of the pig, bean curd and eggs. The appearance of the dish might be threatening and inclined to put novices off. But the taste is superb and totally unlike anything else. It is a MUST for visitors to Sarawak. Until you have tasted Kueh Chap you have not lived!

Merdeka Palace

The Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites is in the historic and cultural centre of old Kuching fronting the green and ceremonial Padang Merdeka.It is situated a short walk away from the shops and markets. The business district is just a short taxi ride away.

Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites has 214 tastefully designed guestrooms and apartment suites, equipped with up to date modern amenities.

Star rating: 5

Wisma Saberkas-Home of latest IT products

Wisma Saberkas lies along Jalan Tun Haji Openg. Pass through the front doors and enter a realm of entrancing lights, flashy storefronts, delightful decors, the latest products and convenient services. This mall is oriented for people from all walks of life to come, sit and shop. The mall is located in the not far away from the central part of Kuching and it has become the major shopping centre for people who live in the area of Third Miles, Green Road and Batu Lintang. The uniqueness about the place is it houses the branded and leading departmental store of Sarawak which is Nguikee that offers a variety of items that includes clothes, food, stationeries, etc that all with a reasonable price. It also houses tens of shops that sell the latest IT products. Other than that, they house other stores too such as The Hush Puppies, Speedy, Cindy, Hongkong Noodles House and so on. In a nutshell, there is surely something for everyone here. You are welcome to visit the mall during its opening hours daily from 10.30 am.

Bako National Park

With its rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, interesting plant life, secluded beaches and trekking trails, Bako offers visitors an excellent introduction to the rainforest of Borneo. Bako may not have an instantly recognisable star attraction but there can be very few places in the world that pack so much natural beauty into such a limited area, all its sheer range of attractions and activities have made Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak.

Gazetted as a protected area on 1 May 1957 and was published to public on 4 may 1957, Bako is Sarawak's oldest national park, covering an area of 2,727 hectares at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula. It is one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak, yet one of the most interesting as it contains almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo. A well maintained network of trails from wasy forest strills to full day jungle treks, allows visitors to get the most out of this unique environment.

Bako contains an incredible variety of plant species and vegetation types and this is one of the park's great attractions. At Bako it is possible to see almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo. 25 distinct types of vegetation from seven complete eco-system, Beach vegetation, Cliff vegetation, Kerangas or heath forest, Mangrove Forest, Mixed Dipterocarp Forest, Padang or Grasslands Vegetation and Peat Swamp Forest. It is easy to explore these eco-systems via the jungle trails. The contrasts are so distinct that you do not have to be a scientist to notice the differences. Furthermore, most of the different vegetation types are found close to the Park Office at Telok Assam. Amongst the unique and strange plant life are the carnivorous plants (pitcher plants), sundews, bladderworts).

Bako is probably the best place in Sarawak for wildlife experience. The park has been a protected area since 1957, so the animals are less wary of humans. Visitors, especially those who stay overnight will have countless opportunities to observe and photograph various types of wildlife.

The best times for seeing wildlife at Bako are dawn and just before dusk, when the animals are at their most active. You are more likely to see animals on the trails if you go in small groups, walk slowly and silently, keep as quit as possible and listen out for sound and movements in the forest. For example you are likely to hear a strange grunting sound or the crash of leaves long before you actually see a Proboscis Monkey.

Telok Assam, the area around the Park Office is a great place for seeing wildlife. Long-tailed macaques, silver leaf monkeys, common monitor lizards, plantain squirrel, bearded pigs and mouse deers are all found here. Watch out for the macaques as they are possibly the most fearless monkeys on earth. They will raid dustbins and kitchens in the resthouses or scamper into the canteen to steal food or an unguarded bag. Keep all doors locked and never encourage them by offering food. In contrast to the unruly macaques, the silvered leaf monkey or silvered langur is a docile and attractive creature. Adults have silver grey fur and spiky crest of head hair, whilst the infants are covered in bright orange fur.

Bako is also home to approximately 150 rare proboscis monkey, found only in Borneo. The male is an odd looking creature with a huge pendulous nose and a large pot belly weighting in excess of 20 kg. Both male and female are covered in reddish-brown fur with grey limbs and a white tail. They are mostly arboreal (tree-dwelling), moving about the forest or mangroves in small groups and feeding on young leaves, shoots, sour fruits and seeds. Although it requires some patience, a jungle encounter with a group of proboscis is likely to be the highlight of your trip to Bako. The best times are early in the morning or in the hours before dusk. You will need to be in position by 6 am or 5 pm. Telok Delima and Telok Paku are the best trails for viewing the Proboscis.

Others are delightful creatures to watch and two species are found at Bako, the Oriental Small-Clawed Otter and the Hairy-Nosed Otter. They spend most of their time in the water, feeding on fish, frogs and other small animals. Oriental Small-Clawed Otters are occasionally seen at Sungai Assam, swimming in the river or running across the mud searching for food. Hairy-nosed otters are sometimes seen early in the morning around the mangroves at Telok Assam.

The largest mammal found at Bako is the Bornean Bearded Pig. As its name implies it is distinguished from other wild pigs by prominent bristles either side of its snout. Bearded pigs are often found around the Park Office scavening for food or swallowing in mud.

A number of lizards are found at Bako. The largest is the common water monitor, olive green in colour and reaching a lengh of 2 metres. Young monitors are green with yellow spots and therefore easier to see. They are strong swimmers and can stay submerged for a considerable length of time. Monitors are scavengers, feeding on carrion and occasional live prey. They are often found near the accommodation area or near the boat jetty, scavenging for scraps of food. Their tracks are also visible at the Park's beaches.

The small brownish grey, Skinky or Sun Lizard is often seen basking on rocks at the beach or scurrying away from the paths. The attractive Green Crested Lizard, common throughout the park is usually bright green but is capable of changing colour if alarmed. Flying Lizards are occasionally seen lauching themselves from tree trunks and gliding through the air.

Bako is home to a number of snakes, most of which are harmless. They are well camouflaged and usually slide off the undergrowth at the first sign of danger. The Grass Green Whip Snake is easily recognised by its bright colour, pencil-thin body and long snout. The Paradise Tree Snake's black upper body is marked with green spots whilst its underside is yellow-green with spots. The only poisonous snake that is occasionally seen is the wager's Pit Viper which like all Pit Vipers, has a broad, flat, triangular head.

Bako is a fascinating place for bird watching as over 150 species have been recorded here. Although many of these can be seen around the resthouses, you need to hit the trails to appreciate the full variety of Bako's bird life. The mangroves at Telok Assam are an excellent place to start. Serious bird watchers should take a good pair of binoculars and the Pocket Guide to the Birds of Borneo which is widely available in Kuching.
Rock pools and mangroves are good places to search for small animals such as mudskippers and crabs and shell-dwelling hermit crabs. Bako also has its fair share of insects. Watch out for them on the forest floor and hear them everywhere.

Bako's nocturnal creatures include the flying lemur, pangolin, mouse deer, various bats, tarsier, slow loris and palm civet. If you take a night walk through the forest near the Park Office you just might catch sight some of these creatures and you will certainly hear crickets, frogs and maybe owls. The beach by the Park Office is also a great place for night walk. If the tide is out you may see crabs, prawns, anemones, starfish, annelid worms and young shrimp in the small pools.

Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel

The Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel Kuching is located near to the Sarawak River. Below the hotel is Parkson Grand Riverside, a shopping centre with large bowling alley and cinema. It is 10 minutes walk to Tua Pek Kong Temple and Fort Margherita.

The Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel Kuching features well appointed rooms which command panoramic views of the Kuching city and waterfront.

Star rating: 5

"DRY" Bak Kut Teh

hmmmm....... bak kut teh a.k.a. pork rib tea (or something like that)

There's this place in 3rd mile called Go. Fun Kee cafe. Yes, for some reason they spell "goh" as Go. with a full stop =_='. Anyway, it's a fairly new place, only a couple months old from what i've heard, and it specializes in selling just one product the favourful, tasty, meat stew we all know as bak kut teh.
See, this shop so special till even got sell DRY bak kut teh...can u even call it a "bak kut teh" anymore?

As a responsible citizen of Kuching, I myself of course had to try this "DRY bak kut teh" and discover this new dish that I never heard of before. It was a Sunday night that i embarked on this great endeavor. I call it an endeavor because you see, there a sign on the shop that joyfully says: "On the spot cooking, delicious taste, 15 minutes waiting and above". And of all days, I chose a Sunday night where there's a swarm of insects that seem to adore the shop so much that the would fly in and get themselves by the bug-killing thingy inside just to sniff the glorious scent of the bak kut teh. But I was here not for that but the DRY version.

Waiting ...and waiting for a very very long 40mins was what i did that faithful night for that damn dish. When it finally appear right it front of my eyes, guess what dry bak kut teh looks like? Before you read any further, let me tell you that it's nowhere close to what you'll ever expect in any bak kut teh. No, it's not that it does not contain any "teh"a.k.a soup...but it's actually much much more different. Ok, its...... its...... pork ribs wit.....(u really wanna know?)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
DRY
.
.
.
CHILIES!!!
Yeah, its braised dried chili pork ribs and they call it "dry" bak kut teh....where else can you find this dish other than kuching
Wanna see how it looks like? GO to Go. Fun Hee cafe and find out yourselves.Hahahaha

Somerset Gateway Kuching

The Somerset Gateway Kuching, is located in the heart of Kuching, in the midst of the Sarawak business centre. It’s just a short stroll from the shopping area, the main bazaar and Kuching Waterfront.

The Somerset Gateway Kuching is a well designed apartment hotel, with contemporary decoration. Rooms are stylish with good amenities. They have a daily maid service on business days.

Star rating: 4

Sarawak Laksa

Sarawak laksa is a unique Sarawakian breakfast dish of rice vermicelli in a fragrant soup, topped with juicy prawns, tender chicken slices, bean sprouts and julienned omelette. It is served with a squeeze of lime and a generous dollop of fiery sambal belacan on the side.

Recommended places: Bormill Cafe

Sarawak Cultural Village

Tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km away from Kuching is Sarawak's fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning "Sarawak Cultural Village".

This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation.

Here, it is possible to see Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramic.

The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss out during your visit to Sarawak.

Hilton Kuching

Gaze across the Sarawak River from the central Hilton Kuching hotel. Keep fit at the fitness center and unwind with a dip in the outdoor pool. Savor oysters with a glass of wine at the Steakhouse restaurant. The hotel has an Executive Lounge and wireless internet access in all public areas.

The Hilton Kuching hotel, just 25 minutes from the airport, has a business center and 9 meeting rooms for 2-750. From Hilton Rooms up, all rooms have high-speed internet access and a desk. Executive Rooms offer Executive Lounge access.

Star rating: 4

Kolo Mee

Kuching 'kolo mee' or 'koh-loh mein' (egg noodles, flash-boiled and then served with (classically) garlic, shallots and sliced barbeque pork also known as "char siew")

This delicacy is available everywhere in Kuching and is sold at a price between RM2.20 and RM3.00.

Recommended places: Ah Pit of Expert Food Court (4th Mile), Sin Lian Shin, Nyan Shin Cafe of

Carpenter Street (Hakka Mee)

Kuching Waterfront

Aptly called The People Place, Kuching Waterfront was built for the people of Sarawak. It is their place to enjoy, to entertain and be entertained. A heritage to be proud of, and a legacy to pass on to generations to come. Stretching approximately 1 km long, with a riverside walk linking the hotel precinct with downtown Kuching, the Waterfront is 'self-contained' with facilities for entertainment, refreshment, relaxation, cultural enjoyment and arts appreciation. It is also a great place for family gatherings, corporate outings and school and community projects.

Coolies bustling over junks berthed. Hawking of wares, Indian chettiars haggling. Natives selling jungle produce. That was Sarawak River to Kuching. Then time intervened. Sarawak River was not what it used to be. Quietness settled in. The godowns deserted, the merchants shifted.

Thus, Kuching Waterfront was rebuilt to return the frontage to the people. Officially opened in 1993, it spans 890 metres, each step rich in local history and culture.

The godowns’ structures are preserved. The frame of the amphitheatre, and the buildings of the Sarawak Steamship Company and the Chinese Museum are evidents. Tradition radiates from the Chinese pavilion. Each step of the way is paved with mosaic panels depicting ethnic motifs.

Kuching of by-gone days is revealed along panels on the promenade, and within Square Tower, a fortress of yester-years. Trace the White Rajah’s reign. Read about rebellions. And piracy.

Come evening, enjoy the musical fountain playing to the classical tunes. See abstract Hornbill Fountains. Have a taste of local food at the food outlets and pushcarts.

Sarawak Museum

The Sarawak Museum Old Building was built in 1891 and was extended to its present form in 1911. The building was especially built to permanently house and display local native arts and crafts and collections of local animals as mainly encouraged by the famous naturalist, Alfred Wallace, who was then collecting specimens in the country.

Since its inception, the building has undergone several renovations and alterations. It is rectangular, with walls and pillars of bricks and roof of belian and concrete. It has European architecture of imposing edifice in Queen Anne style (Victorian period). The galleries are lighted by dormer windows on the roof which thus allow a great area of wall space.

During the Japanese Occupation, the museum was put under the direction of a sympathetic Japanese Officer. As a result, the museum suffered very little damage and remarkably little looting.

Today, with carefully planned renovation and proper maintenance, this old building is used as the centre to exhibit collections on the natural history of Sarawak. The ground floor of the museum holds the natural history collection and specimens of Sarawak fauna, reptiles, mammals, birds, etc, all expertly prepared and mounted for display. The west wing of the museum houses Shell exhibition - petroleum industries of Sarawak.

The first floor displays exhibits of ethnographic artifacts such as models of longhouses of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak, musical instruments, various kinds of fish and animal traps, handicrafts, models of boats and others.

Origin of name

The origins of its name have never been clear. "Kuching" does translate into "cat" in Malay ("kuching" is an old Malay spelling, whereas the new official Malay spelling today would be "kucing" but both of them are pronounced the same), in specific reference to the domesticated cat, but it may actually be a variation of the Indian name for "port" - "Cochin".

Kuching was first settled by Indian traders who set up base at Santubong. Artefacts of Hindu origin can today be seen at the State Museum. The city has never been remembered for having a significantly larger population of cats when compared to others. In fact, the many cat statues, the Kuching Cat Museum and other association with cats have been part of a modern effort of tourism; many travel brochures refer to Kuching as "Cat City" or the "City of Cats". Otherwise, they hold no real meaning for the residents and are not considered by locals as romantic.

There are other theories which attribute the name to a fruit called "mata kucing" or "cat's eye"; it would seem that trees bearing this fruit used to grow in abundance by the river banks - where the city proper lies today. There is a hill in the heart of the old city called Bukit Mata Kuching which could have been as responsible.

History

Sarawak was a part of the Sultanate of Brunei 200 years ago but as a reward for its help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to a British adventurer called James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom. Kuching was made his capital and headquarters. The Brooke family ruled Sarawak until the Japanese occupation in December 1941. Kuching surrendered to the Japanese forces on 24 December 1941, and Sarawak was part of the Japanese Imperial Empire for three years and eight months, until the official Japanese surrender on 11 September 1945 on board HMAS Kapunda at Kuching. From March 1942 the Japanese operated a POW and civilian internee camp at Batu Lintang, three miles outside Kuching. After the end of World War II the third and last Rajah, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to the British Crown in 1946. Sarawak and the British Commonwealth fought an "Undeclared War" with Indonesia to keep Sarawak from being absorbed into Sukarno's Indonesia. The British gave Sarawak independence in 1963 and together with North Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore, helped form Malaysia. (Singapore became independent soon after).

Kuching

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian State of Sarawak. Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching was elevated to city status on 1 August 1988.

The city of Kuching is located in the district of Kuching. The district covers an area of 1,863 square kilometres, and is one of three districts within Kuching Division. The district of Kuching is administered by three local governments. The administration of Kuching city is divided into two local governments and even has two mayors. The northern section of Kuching is run by Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (Kuching North City Hall) covering an area of 369.48 square kilometres. The southern section is administrated by Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (Kuching South City Council) covering a smaller but a more densely populated area of 61.53 square kilometres. There are those who believe that the divisions in power for the Northern (primarily Malay and Bumi residents) and Southern (primarily Chinese residents) districts came about due to ethnic reasons in the 1980s. There are also those who believe the administration is divided due to geographical reasons, as the Northern and Southern districts are linked by only two bridges spanning the Sarawak River. The third local government is Majlis Perbandaran Padawan or Padawan Municipal Council (formerly known as Kuching Rural District Council) which mainly administers the rural areas within Kuching district. It covers a large portion of Kuching district with an area of 1,431.82 square kilometres.