Sarawak#Administrative divisions

File:Buceros rhinoceros -Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia-8a (1).jpg is the state bird of Sarawak.|alt=A black bird with white underbelly, white beak and red-orange horn perching on a branch]]

The generally-accepted explanation of the state's name is that it is derived from the Sarawak Malay word Serawak, which means antimony.{{cite web |url=http://sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my/portalBI/list.php?ttl_id=35 |title=Origin of Place Names – Sarawak |publisher=National Library of Malaysia |year=2000 |access-date=3 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209105740/http://sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my/portalBI/list.php?ttl_id=35§ion=sm03 |archive-date=9 February 2008 |url-status=dead}} A popular alternative explanation is that it is a contraction of the four Malay words purportedly uttered by Pangeran Muda Hashim (uncle to the Sultan of Brunei), "Saya serah pada awak" (I surrender it to you), when he gave Sarawak to James Brooke, an English explorer, in 1841. However, the latter explanation is incorrect: the territory had been named Sarawak before the arrival of James Brooke, and the word awak was not in the vocabulary of Sarawak Malay before the formation of Malaysia.{{cite news |last1=Kris |first1=Jitab |title=Wrong info on how Sarawak got its name |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1295&dat=19910223&id=xJVUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6766,1316351&hl=en |access-date=14 November 2015 |publisher=New Sunday Times |date=23 February 1991}} The area of today's Sarawak was known as Cerava by Portuguese cartographers in the 16th century.

Sarawak is nicknamed "Land of the Hornbills" (Bumi Kenyalang). These birds are important cultural symbols for the Dayak people, representing the spirit of God. It is also believed that if a hornbill is seen flying over residences, it will bring good luck to the local community. Sarawak has eight of the world's fifty-four species of hornbills, and the Rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of Sarawak.{{cite news |title=The magnificent hornbills of Sarawak |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/12/the-magnificent-hornbills-of-sarawak/ |access-date=17 January 2017 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=12 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806050124/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/12/the-magnificent-hornbills-of-sarawak/ |archive-date=6 August 2015}}

{{Main|History of Sarawak}}

Foragers are known to have lived around the west mouth of the Niah Caves (located {{cvt|110|km|mi}} southwest of Miri) 40,000 years ago.{{cite web |title=Niah National Park – Early Human settlements |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-niah.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry |access-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218010128/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-niah.html |archive-date=18 February 2015}}{{cite book |last1=Faulkner |first1=Neil |title=Niah Cave, Sarawak, Borneo |date=7 November 2003 |publisher=Current World Archaeology Issue 2 |url=http://www.world-archaeology.com/features/niah-cave-sarawak-borneo.htm |access-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323011312/http://www.world-archaeology.com/features/niah-cave-sarawak-borneo.htm |archive-date=23 March 2015}} A modern human skull found near the Niah Caves is the oldest example of human remains found in Malaysia and the oldest modern human skull from Southeast Asia.{{cite web |title=History of the Great Cave of Niah |url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/niahcave/history.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122214440/http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/niahcave/history.htm |archive-date=22 November 2014}}{{cite web |title=Niah Cave |url=http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/fossils/niah-cave |website=humanorigins.si.edu |publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History |access-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122105146/http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/fossils/niah-cave |archive-date=22 November 2013 |date=30 January 2010}} Chinese ceramics dating to the Tang and Song dynasties (8th to 13th century AD, respectively) found at Santubong (near Kuching) hint at its significance as a seaport.{{cite book |last1=Zheng |first1=Dekun |title=Studies in Chinese Archeology |date=1 January 1982 |publisher=The Chinese University Press |isbn=978-962-201-261-5 |pages=49, 50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fLL5BQj9Xf0C&pg=PA49 |access-date=29 December 2015 |quote=In case of Santubong, its association with T'ang and Sung porcelain would necessary provide a date of about 8th – 13th century A.D.}}

One of the earliest Chinese records of an independent kingdom in Borneo is the 977 AD letter to the Chinese emperor from the ruler of Boni, which some scholars believe to refer to Borneo.{{cite book |author=Wendy Hutton |title=Adventure Guides: East Malaysia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWO5Va53GkgC&pg=PA30 |year=2000 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-962-593-180-7 |page=30}} The Bruneians regained their independence from Srivijaya due to the onset of a Javanese-Sumatran war.Coedes, Indianized States, Page 128, 132. In 1225, the Chinese official Zhao Rukuo reported that Boni had 100 warships to protect its trade, and that there was great wealth in the kingdom.{{Cite book |title=History for Brunei Darussalam: Sharing our Past |year=2009 |publisher=Curriculum Development Department, Ministry of Education |isbn=978-99917-2-372-3

|ref={{sfnref|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009}} |page=43}} Marco Polo suggested in his memoirs that the Great Khan or the ruler of the Mongol Empire, attempted and failed many times in invading "Great Java" which was the European name for Bruneian controlled Borneo.Journal of Southeast Asian Studies Vol. 14, No. 1 (Mar. 1983) Page 40. Published by: Cambridge University Press.{{cite book|last=Rossabi|first=M.|title=The Mongols: A Very Short Introduction|publisher=Oxford University Press|series=Very Short Introductions|year=2012|isbn=978-0-19-993935-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qfu7ONV1pBYC&pg=PA96|access-date=27 January 2025|page=96}}{{cite web|url=https://ias.ubd.edu.bn/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/working_paper_series_73.pdf|title=Revisiting the Chinese Sources on Early Southeast Asian History|last=Kelley|first=Liam C.|work=Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam|year=2023|access-date=27 January 2025|page=58/68|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725100125/https://ias.ubd.edu.bn/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/working_paper_series_73.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last=Weatherford|first=J.|title=Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and the Making of China|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|year=2024|isbn=978-1-3994-1769-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OoEbEQAAQBAJ&pg=PT130|access-date=27 January 2025|page=130}} In the 1300s the Chinese annals, Nanhai zhi, reported that Brunei invaded or administered Sarawak and Sabah as well as the Philippine kingdoms of Butuan, Sulu, Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu 麻裏蘆 (present-day Manila), Shahuchong 沙胡重 (present-day Siocon), Yachen 啞陳 (Oton), and 文杜陵 Wenduling (present-day Mindanao),[https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228735802.pdf Reading Song-Ming Records on the Pre-colonial History of the Philippines] By Wang Zhenping Page 256. which would regain their independence at a later date.[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20072046?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3Ab027257328390a5b4d7284dcfce8eaef&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contentsFrom Quanzhou to the Sulu Zone and beyond: Questions Related to the Early Fourteenth Century] By: Roderich Ptak. Page 280

The Melano kingdom existed from about 1300 to 1400 AD and was centred at the Mukah River. Rajah Tugau was a King in Sarawak who was mentioned in both Bruneian{{Cite web |url=https://bruneiresources.blogspot.com/2009/02/pre-islamic-kings-of-brunei.html |title=The Pre-Islamic Kings of Brunei By Rozan Yunos taken from the Magazine "Pusaka" published on year 2009. |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180753/https://bruneiresources.blogspot.com/2009/02/pre-islamic-kings-of-brunei.html |url-status=live }} and Filipino (Madja-as) sources.{{Cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/29791138 |title=THE BISAYA OF BORNEO AND THE PHILIPPINES: A NEW LOOK AT THE MARAGTAS By Joseph Baumgartner |jstor=29791138 |access-date=2 August 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802155626/https://www.jstor.org/stable/29791138?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior:40c9edca8bd5b2c122b3cccda2db2308&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Sonza |first=Demy P. |date=1974 |title=The Bisayas of Borneo and the Philippines: A New Look at the Maragtas |url=https://repository.cpu.edu.ph/bitstream/handle/20.500.12852/2142/07_SAJ_SonzaDP_1974.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |website=Bahandian |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907093357/https://repository.cpu.edu.ph/bitstream/handle/20.500.12852/2142/07_SAJ_SonzaDP_1974.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }} His kingdom covered coastal Sarawak until Belait and consisted of groups of similar Melanau and Kajang language speakers who shared an almost identical culture and heritage. Nagarakertagama, written in 1365 during Hayam Wuruk, mentions Malano and Barune(ng) among the 14 tributaries of Majapahit. After the fall of Majapahit, Barune(ng) expanded its territory along the northern coast of Borneo.[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20174317?seq=4 Brunei Rediscovered: A Survey of Early Times By Robert Nicholl] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181722/https://www.jstor.org/stable/20174317?seq=4 |date=20 July 2021 }} p. 35 citing Ferrand. Relations, page 564-65. Tibbets, Arabic Texts, pg 47.{{rp|36}} According to the manuscript of Brunei's rulers, following the fall of Majapahit, Barunai led by Awang Semaun being reinforced by the Iban, conquered Tutong under its chief Mawanga and the whole of the Melano kingdom until Igan under its chief Basiung despite reinforcement from Sambas. Barunai continued the conquest of the entire south and then north of Borneo, after which he conquered the whole of Sulu and the Philippines.{{Cite web|url=http://learnmelanau.nativeglot.com/2012/10/the-fall-of-melanau-kingdom-and.html|title=The Fall of Melanau Kingdom and the expansion of Brunei empire|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924012350/http://learnmelanau.nativeglot.com/2012/10/the-fall-of-melanau-kingdom-and.html|url-status=live}}

In the 14th century, the Javanese manuscript Nagarakretagama, written by Prapanca in 1365, mentioned Barune as the constituent state of Hindu Majapahit,{{cite web |title=Naskah Nagarakretagama |publisher=Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia |url=http://kelembagaan.pnri.go.id/Digital_Docs/homepage_folders/activities/highlight/naskah_nagara_kretagama/isi.htm |language=id |access-date=13 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523163555/http://kelembagaan.pnri.go.id/Digital_Docs/homepage_folders/activities/highlight/naskah_nagara_kretagama/isi.htm |archive-date=23 May 2017 |url-status=dead }} which had to make an annual tribute of forty katis of camphor. In 1369, Sulu which was also formerly part of Majapahit, successfully rebelled and then attacked Boni, and had invaded the Northeast Coast of BorneoMing shi, 325, p. 8411, p. 8422. and afterwards had looted the capital of its treasure and gold including sacking two sacred pearls. A fleet from Majapahit succeeded in driving away the Sulus, but Boni was left weaker after the attack.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=44}} A Chinese report from 1371 described Boni as poor and totally controlled by Majapahit.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=45}}

The Bruneian Empire was established in the coastal regions of Sarawak by the mid-15th century,{{cite book |author1=David Lea |author2=Colette Milward |title=A Political Chronology of South-East Asia and Oceania |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MeWNnD1nUgUC&pg=PA16 |year=2001 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-1-85743-117-9 |pages=16–}} and the Kuching area was known to Portuguese cartographers during the 16th century as Cerava, one of the five great seaports of Borneo.{{cite book |last1=Donald F |first1=Lach |title=Asia in the Making of Europe, Volume I: The Century of Discovery, Book 1 |date=15 July 2008 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-46708-5 |page=581 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xD52ge5a8vYC&pg=PA581 |access-date=21 March 2016 |quote=... but Castanheda lists five great seaports that he says were known to the Portuguese. In his transcriptions they are called "Moduro" (Marudu?), "Cerava" (Sarawak?), "Laue" (Lawai), "Tanjapura" (Tanjungpura), and "Borneo" (Brunei) from which the island derives its name.}}{{cite journal |last1=Broek |first1=Jan O.M. |title=Place Names in 16th and 17th Century Borneo |journal=Imago Mundi |date=1962 |volume=16 |issue=1 |page=134 |doi=10.1080/03085696208592208 |jstor=1150309 |quote=Carena (for Carena), deep in the bight, refers to Sarawak, the Kuching area, where there is clear archaeological evidence of an ancient trade center just inland from Santubong.}} The Sultanate of Sarawak was established during this time and lasted for almost half a century before being reunited with Brunei in 1641.{{cite news |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/golden_legacy/2008/12/28/sultan_tengah_sarawaks_first_sultan |title=Sultan Tengah — Sarawak's first Sultan |newspaper=The Brunei Times |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=3 April 2014 |author=Rozan Yunos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403100218/http://www.bt.com.bn/golden_legacy/2008/12/28/sultan_tengah_sarawaks_first_sultan |archive-date=3 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite journal |title=The First Sultan of Sarawak and His Links to Brunei and the Sambas Dynasty, 1599-1826: A Little-known Pre-Brooke History |author=Ib Larsen |journal=Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society |publisher=Project MUSE |year=2012 |volume=85 |issue=2 |pages=1–16 |doi=10.1353/ras.2012.0006 |citeseerx=10.1.1.692.3022 |s2cid=161325104}} By the early 19th century, the Bruneian Empire was in decline, retaining only a tenuous hold on the coastal regions of Sarawak which were otherwise controlled by semi-independent Malay leaders. Away from the coast, territorial wars were fought between the Iban and a Kenyah-Kayan alliance.{{cite book |last1=Alastair |first1=Morrison |title=Fair Land Sarawak: Some Recollections of an Expatriate Official |date=1 January 1993 |publisher=SEAP Publications |isbn=978-0-87727-712-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U80cU8Fx1kAC&pg=PA10 |page=10 |access-date=29 October 2015}}

File:Sir James Brooke (1847) by Francis Grant.jpg, the first White Rajah|alt=Brooke painted by Francis Grant, standing next to a rock in front of a tropical landscape]]

The discovery of antimony ore in the Kuching region led Pengiran Indera Mahkota, a representative of the Sultan of Brunei, to increase development in the territory between 1824 and 1830. Increasing antimony production in the region led the Brunei Sultanate to demand higher taxes, which ultimately led to civil unrest.{{cite book |last1=Trudy |first1=Ring |last2=Noelle |first2=Watson |last3=Paul |first3=Schellinger |title=Asia and Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places |date=12 November 2012 |publisher=SEAP Publications |isbn=978-0-87727-712-5 |page=497 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=voerPYsAB5wC&pg=PA497 |access-date=29 October 2015}} In 1839, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II (1827–1852) assigned his uncle Pengiran Muda Hashim the task of restoring order but his inability to do so caused him to request the aid of British sailor James Brooke. Brooke's success in quelling the revolt was rewarded with antimony, property and the governorship of Sarawak, which at that time consisted only of a small area centred on Kuching.{{cite book |author=James Leasor |title=Singapore: The Battle That Changed the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tl9tx4MJYf4C&pg=PA41 |date=1 January 2001 |publisher=House of Stratus |isbn=978-0-7551-0039-2 |pages=41– |author-link=James Leasor}}{{cite book |last1=Graham |first1=Saunders |title=A History of Brunei |date=5 November 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-87394-2 |pages=74–77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DUv8AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA80 |access-date=24 November 2016}}

The Brooke family, later called the White Rajahs, set about expanding the territory they had been ceded.{{cite web |last1=Mike |first1=Reed |title=Book review of "The Name of Brooke – The End of White Rajah Rule in Sarawak" by R.H.W. Reece, Sarawak Literary Society, 1993 |url=http://www1.sarawak.com.my/travel_features/bk_review/brooke.html |website=sarawak.com.my |access-date=7 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608223530/http://www1.sarawak.com.my/travel_features/bk_review/brooke.html |archive-date=8 June 2003}} With expansion came the need for efficient governance and thus, beginning in 1841, Sarawak was separated into the first of its administrative divisions{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Kian Hock |title=A look at the civil administration of Sarawak |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/a-look-at-the-civil-administration-of-sarawak/ |access-date=21 November 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=16 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206232438/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/a-look-at-the-civil-administration-of-sarawak/ |archive-date=6 February 2015}} and the Sarawak dollar, entered circulation in 1858.{{cite book |last1=Cuhaj |first1=George S |title=Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues, 1368–1960 |date=2014 |publisher=F+W Media |isbn=978-1-4402-4267-0 |page=1058 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmOYCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1058 |access-date=13 January 2016 |quote=Sarawak was recognised as a separate state by the United States (1850) and Great Britain (1864), and voluntarily became a British protectorate in 1888.}} By 1912, a total of five divisions had been established in Sarawak, each headed by a Resident. The Brooke family generally practised a paternalistic form of government with minimal bureaucracy, but were pressured to establish some form of legal framework. Since they were unfamiliar with local customs, the Brooke government created an advisory Supreme Council, mostly consisting of Malay chiefs. This council is the oldest state legislative assembly in Malaysia, with the first general council meeting taking place at Bintulu in 1867.{{cite web |title=Bintulu – Places of Interest |url=http://www.bda.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=49&menu_id=0&sub_id=66 |publisher=Bintulu Development Authority |access-date=19 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119121306/http://www.bda.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=49&menu_id=0&sub_id=66 |archive-date=19 November 2016}} In 1928, a judicial commissioner, Thomas Stirling Boyd, was appointed as the first legally trained judge. A similar system relating to matters concerning various Chinese communities was also formed.{{cite book |last1=Ooi |first1=Keat Gin |author-link=Keat Gin Ooi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RzVUOidajPAC&pg=PA7 |title=Post-war Borneo, 1945–50: Nationalism, Empire and State-Building |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-05803-7 |page=7 |access-date=2 November 2015}} Members of the local community were encouraged by the Brooke regime to focus on particular functions within the territory; the Ibans and other Dayak people were hired as militia while Malays were primarily administrators. Chinese, both local and immigrant, were mostly employed in plantations,{{cite book |last1=Marshall |first1=Cavendish |title=World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia, Volume 9 |date=2007 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |location=Bangladesh |isbn=978-0-7614-7642-9 |page=1182 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=72VwCFtYHCgC&pg=PA1182 |access-date=2 November 2015}} mines and as bureaucrats. Expanding trade led to the formation of the Borneo Company Limited in 1856. The company was involved in a wide range of businesses in Sarawak including trade, banking, agriculture, mineral exploration, and development.{{cite web |title=The Borneo Company Limited |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1248_2007-07-02.html |publisher=National Library Board |access-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012024013/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1248_2007-07-02.html |archive-date=12 October 2015}}

File:Sarawak territorial expansion.gif from 1841 to 1905 played a significant role in the present-day boundaries of the modern state of Sarawak.]]

Between 1853 and 1862, there were a number of uprisings against the Brooke government but all were successfully contained with the aid of local tribes. To guard against future uprisings, a series of forts were constructed to protect Kuching, including Fort Margherita, completed in 1871. By that time Brooke's control of Sarawak was such that defences were largely unnecessary.{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Elegant |title=SARAWAK: A KINGDOM IN THE JUNGLE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/13/travel/sarawak-a-kingdom-in-the-jungle.html?pagewanted=all |access-date=2 November 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 July 1986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102083010/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/13/travel/sarawak-a-kingdom-in-the-jungle.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=2 November 2015}}

Charles Anthoni Brooke succeeded his uncle as White Rajah in 1868. Under his rule, Sarawak gained Limbang and the Baram and Trusan valleys from the Sultan of Brunei, later becoming a protectorate in 1888 with Britain handling foreign affairs but the Brooke government retaining administrative powers. Domestically, Brooke established the Sarawak Museum – the oldest museum in Borneo – in 1891,{{cite news |last1=Saiful |first1=Bahari |title=Thrill is gone, state museum stuck in time — Public |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/23/thrill-is-gone-state-museum-stuck-in-time-public/ |access-date=2 November 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=23 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002091817/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/23/thrill-is-gone-state-museum-stuck-in-time-public/ |archive-date=2 October 2015}} and brokered a peace in Marudi by ending intertribal wars there. Economic development continued, with oil wells being drilled from 1910 and the Brooke Dockyard opening two years later. Anthony Brooke, who would become Rajah Muda (heir apparent) in 1939.{{cite web |title=History of Sarawak |url=http://www.brooketrust.org/history-of-sarawak |publisher=Brooke Trust |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129025715/http://www.brooketrust.org/history-of-sarawak |archive-date=29 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}

A centenary celebration of Brooke rule in Sarawak was held in 1941. During the celebration, a new constitution was introduced that would limit the power of the rajah and grant the Sarawak people a greater role in running the government. However, this constitution was never fully implemented due to the Japanese occupation.{{cite news |last1=Ogmore |title=SARAWAK HL Deb vol 200 cc328-68 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1956/nov/15/sarawak |access-date=26 June 2017 |publisher=UK parliament |date=15 November 1956 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701020733/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1956/nov/15/sarawak |url-status=live }}Ooi, 2013. Rajah aborgated his absolute powers...(page 103) That same year saw the British withdrawing its air and marine forces defending Sarawak to Singapore. With Sarawak now unguarded, the Brooke regime adopted a scorched earth policy where oil installations in Miri were to be destroyed and the Kuching airfield held as long as possible before being destroyed. A Japanese invasion force led by Kiyotake Kawaguchi landed in Miri on 16 December 1941 and captured Kuching on 24 December 1941, with British ground forces retreating to Singkawang in neighbouring Dutch Borneo. The Allied forces surrendered on 1 April 1942 after ten weeks of fighting there.{{cite web |last1=Klemen |first1=L |title=The Invasion of British Borneo in 1942 |url=https://warfare.gq/dutcheastindies/sarawak.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401045406/http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/sarawak.html |archive-date=1 April 2015 |url-status=live |website=Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942 |access-date=3 November 2015 |date=1999}} Charles Vyner Brooke, the last Rajah of Sarawak, had already left for Sydney, Australia; his officers were captured by the Japanese and interned at the Batu Lintang camp.{{cite web |title=The Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1945) |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/235/246/ |publisher=The Sarawak Government |access-date=3 November 2015}}

File:Native population of Kuching.JPG to witness the arrival of Australian Imperial Force on 12 September 1945.]]

Sarawak remained part of the Empire of Japan for three years and eight months. During this time it was divided into three provinces – Kuching-shu, Sibu-shu, and Miri-shu – each under their respective Provincial Governor. The Japanese otherwise preserved the Brooke administrative structure and appointed Japanese people to important government positions.{{cite book |last1=Kratoska |first1=Paul. H |title=Southeast Asian Minorities in the Wartime Japanese Empire |date=13 May 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136125065 |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZWqvMBu80kC&pg=PA136 |access-date=27 June 2017}} Allied forces later carried out Operation Semut to sabotage Japanese operations in Sarawak.{{cite journal |last1=Ooi |first1=Keat Gin |title=Prelude to invasion: covert operations before the re-occupation of Northwest Borneo, 1944{{ndash}}45|journal=Journal of the Australian War Memorial |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j37/borneo.asp |access-date=3 November 2015}} During the Battle of North Borneo, the Australian forces landed at Lutong-Miri area on 20 June 1945 and penetrated as far as Marudi and Limbang before halting their operations in Sarawak.{{cite book |last=Gavin Long |title=Australia in the War of 1939-1945. Series 1 - Army - Volume VII - The Final Campaigns (1st edition, 1963) - Chapter 20 - Securing British Borneo |date=1963 |publisher=The Australian War Memorial |location=Australia |page=491 |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1417406 |access-date=18 June 2017}} After the surrender of Japan, the Japanese surrendered to the Australian forces at Labuan on 10 September 1945.{{cite web |title=Historical Monument – Surrender Point |url=http://www.pl.gov.my/en/web/guest/tugu-penyerahan-jepun;jsessionid=10C59E905CBE1CA017EA2CC8600CEF41 |website=Official Website of Labuan Corporation |publisher=Labuan Corporation |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025545/http://www.pl.gov.my/en/web/guest/tugu-penyerahan-jepun;jsessionid=10C59E905CBE1CA017EA2CC8600CEF41 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Rainsford |first1=Keith Carr |title=Surrender to Major-General Wootten at Labuan |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F07316/ |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=3 November 2015}} The following day, the Japanese forces at Kuching surrendered, and the Batu Lintang camp was liberated.{{cite news |last1=Patricia |first1=Hului |title=Celebrating Batu Lintang Camp liberation day on Sept 11 |url=http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/09/12/celebrating-batu-lintang-camp-liberation-day-on-sept-11/ |access-date=17 June 2017 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=12 September 2016 |archive-date=11 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211133228/http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/09/12/celebrating-batu-lintang-camp-liberation-day-on-sept-11/ |url-status=dead}} Sarawak was immediately placed under British Military Administration and managed by the Australian Imperial Force until April 1946.{{cite web |title=British Military Administration (August 1945 – April 1946) |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/236/247/ |publisher=The Sarawak Government |access-date=3 November 2015}}{{cite book |last1=Ooi |first1=Keat Gin |title=Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor |date=2004 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781576077702 |page=763 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKgraWbb7yoC&pg=PA763 |access-date=27 June 2017}}

Lacking the resources to rebuild Sarawak after the war, Charles Vyner Brooke decided to cede Sarawak as British Crown Colony{{Cite news |title=The London Gazette |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37637/page/3394 |date=2 July 1946 |issue=37637 |pages=3394 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=19 July 2022}} and a cession bill was put forth in the Council Negri (now Sarawak State Legislative Assembly), which was debated for three days. The bill passed on 17 May 1946 with 19 votes to 16.{{Cite web |date=22 May 1946 |title=Sarawak (Act of Cession) |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1946/may/22/sarawak-act-of-cession |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |publication-place=London |quote="The Council Negri passed the Cession Bill on 16th and 17th May, and the Supreme Council authorised the Rajah to execute the instrument of Cession on 20th May." "The voting in the Council Negri on the Cession Bill was 18 for, 16 against on the second reading, and 19 for and 16 against on the third reading."}} Hundreds of Malay civil servants resigned in protest, sparking an anti-cession movement and the assassination of the second colonial governor of Sarawak, Sir Duncan Stewart.{{cite web |title=Sarawak as a British Crown Colony (1946–1963) |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/237/248/ |publisher=The Official Website of the Sarawak Government |access-date=7 November 2015}} Despite the resistance, Sarawak became a British Crown colony on 1 July 1946. Anthony Brooke opposed the cession of Sarawak to the British Crown,{{cite news |last1=Mike |first1=Thomson |title=The stabbed governor of Sarawak |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17299633 |access-date=3 November 2015 |work=BBC News |date=14 March 2012}} for which he was banished from Sarawak by the colonial government.Ooi, 2013. This denial of entry to Anthony ... (page 93) ... The anti-cession movement was by the early 1950s effectively "strangled" a dead letter.(page 98) He was only allowed to return 17 years later after Sarawak had become part of Malaysia.{{cite news |title=Anthony Brooke |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/8365045/Anthony-Brooke.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/8365045/Anthony-Brooke.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2015 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 March 2011}}{{cbignore}} In 1950 all anti-cession movements in Sarawak ceased after a clamp-down by the colonial government.

File:Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia (16 September 1963).jpg Stephen Kalong Ningkan declaring the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963|alt=Ningkan holding papers containing the declaration, standing behind a microphone and in front of several guards on a podium]]

On 27 May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the prime minister of the Federation of Malaya, announced a plan to form a greater federation together with Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei, to be called Malaysia. On 17 January 1962, the Cobbold Commission was formed to gauge the support of Sarawak and Sabah for the plan; the Commission reported 80 per cent support for federation.{{cite web |title=Formation of Malaysia 16 September 1963 |url=http://www.arkib.gov.my/en/web/guest/penubuhan-malaysia-16-september-1963?p_p_id=56_INSTANCE_Oj0d&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-inner-3&p_p_col_count=1&page=1 |publisher=National Archives of Malaysia |access-date=8 November 2015 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307120947/http://www.arkib.gov.my/en/web/guest/penubuhan-malaysia-16-september-1963?p_p_id=56_INSTANCE_Oj0d&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-inner-3&p_p_col_count=1&page=1 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=JC |first1=Fong |title=Formation of Malaysia |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/formation-of-malaysia/ |access-date=8 November 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=16 September 2011}} On 23 October 1962, five political parties in Sarawak formed a united front that supported the formation of Malaysia.{{cite book |last1=Tai |first1=Yong Tan |title=Creating "Greater Malaysia": Decolonization and the Politics of Merger |date=2008 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-747-7 |pages=154–169|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ue77C4zp4pcC&pg=PA155 |access-date=8 November 2015 |chapter=Chapter Six: Borneo Territories and Brunei}} Sarawak was officially granted self-government on 22 July 1963, and federated with Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.{{cite web |title=Trust and Non-self governing territories |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust2.htm |publisher=United Nations |access-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503183847/http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust2.htm |archive-date=3 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=United Nations Member States |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2006/org1469.doc.htm#_edn16 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305033119/http://www.un.org/press/en/2006/org1469.doc.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |date=3 July 2006}} The governments of the Philippines and Indonesia opposed the new federation, as did the Brunei People's Party and Sarawak-based communist groups, and in 1962, the Brunei Revolt broke out.{{cite web |title=Brunei Revolt breaks out – 8 December 1962 |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/521bbca2-d44c-47bc-ba06-c3e1763e5a10 |publisher=National Library Board (Singapore) |access-date=9 November 2015}} Indonesian president Sukarno responded by deploying armed volunteers and, later, military forces into Sarawak.[https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/unts/volume%20550/volume-550-i-8029-english.pdf United Nations Treaty Registered No. 8029, Manila Accord between Philippines, Federation of Malaya and Indonesia (31 July 1963)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011185953/http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/16/16/00030780.pdf |date=11 October 2010 }}. Retrieved on 12 August 2011.[http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/18/5/00034224.pdf United Nations Treaty Series No. 8809, Agreement relating to the implementation of the Manila Accord] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012141416/http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/18/5/00034224.pdf |date=12 October 2011 }}. Retrieved on 12 August 2011. Thousands of Sarawak communist members went to Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, and underwent training with the Communist Party of Indonesia. The most significant engagement of the confrontation was fought at Plaman Mapu in April 1965. The defeat at Plaman Mapu ultimately resulted in the fall of Sukarno and his replacement with Suharto as President of Indonesia.{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Charles |title=Savage Wars of Peace: Soldiers' Voices, 1945-1989 |date=1990 |publisher=Joseph|isbn=9780718128821 |page=159}} Negotiations were restarted between Malaysia and Indonesia and led to the end of the confrontation on 11 August 1966.Ishikawa, 2010 (page 87) Following continued disagreements with the federal government over proportions of taxes to be paid by Singapore to the federation government - on 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent and sovereign nation while both Sarawak and Sabah remain in the federation.{{cite web|url=https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=dc1efe7a-8159-40b2-9244-cdb078755013|title=Singapore separates from Malaysia and becomes independent|work=National Library Board, Singapore|access-date=27 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127132002/https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=dc1efe7a-8159-40b2-9244-cdb078755013|archive-date=27 January 2025|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=9641f35d-3ae5-41d8-9fa6-7ca8b845ea53|title=Singapore's separation from Malaysia|last=Tin Seng|first=Lim|work=National Library Board, Singapore|year=2019|access-date=27 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127132533/https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=9641f35d-3ae5-41d8-9fa6-7ca8b845ea53|archive-date=27 January 2025|url-status=live}}

A number of communist groups existed in Sarawak, the first of which, the Sarawak Overseas Chinese Democratic Youth League, formed in 1951.The first Communist group to be formed in Sarawak ... (page 95) Another group, the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP, also known as Clandestine Communist Organisation (CCO) by government sources) was formally set up in 1970.{{cite journal |last1=Hara |first1=Fujio |title=The North Kalimantan Communist Party and People's Republic of China |journal=The Developing Economies |date=December 2005 |page=495 |url=http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Periodicals/De/pdf/DE43_4_4.pdf |access-date=2 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219234519/http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Periodicals/De/pdf/DE43_4_4.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2016}} Weng Min Chyuan and Bong Kee Chok were two of the more notable communist leaders involved in the insurgency. As the political scene changed, it grew progressively more difficult for the communists to operate. This led to Bong opening talks with chief minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub in 1973 and eventually signing an agreement with the government. Weng, who had moved to China in the mid-1960s but nonetheless retained control of the CCO, pushed for a continued armed insurrection against the government in spite of this agreement. The conflict continued mostly in the Rajang Delta region but eventually ended when, on 17 October 1990, the NKCP signed a peace agreement with the Government of Sarawak.{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Chin |title=Book Review: The Rise and Fall of Communism in Sarawak 1940–1990 |date=9 March 2006 |url=http://kyotoreview.org/book-review/book-review-the-rise-and-fall-of-communism-in-sarawak-1940-1990/ |publisher=Kyoto Review of South East Asia |access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/saga-of-communist-insurgency-in-sarawak/ |title=Saga of communist insurgency in Sarawak |last1=Chan |first1=Francis |last2=Wong |first2=Phyllis |date=16 September 2011 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |access-date=10 January 2013}}

{{See also|Constitution of the State of Sarawak|Government of Sarawak|Cabinet of Sarawak|Elections in Sarawak|Sarawak State Legislative Assembly}}

File:Timeline of evolution of political parties in Sarawak.svg

The head of the Sarawak state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (also known as TYT or Governor), a largely symbolic position appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) on the advice of the Malaysian federal government.{{cite web |title=About Sarawak – Governance |url=http://www.spu.sarawak.gov.my/governance.html |website=Official website of State Planning Unit – Chief Minister's Department of Sarawak |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913195537/http://www.spu.sarawak.gov.my/governance.html |archive-date=13 September 2013}} The position has been held by Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar since 2024.{{cite web |title=Yang di-Pertua Negeri |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/173/189/ |publisher=Sarawak Government |access-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907192409/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/173/189/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}} The TYT appoints the Premier, currently held by Abang Johari Openg (GPS),{{cite web |title=Abang Johari Ketua Menteri baharu Sarawak |url=http://www.bharian.com.my/node/234039 |website=BH Online |date=13 January 2017 |publisher=Berita Harian |access-date=13 January 2017}} as the head of government. Generally, the leader of the party that commands the majority of the state Legislative Assembly is appointed as the chief minister; democratically elected representatives are known as state assemblymen. The state assembly passes laws on subjects that are not under the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Malaysia such as land administration, employment, forests, immigration, merchant shipping and fisheries. The state government is constituted by the premier, the cabinet ministers and their deputy ministers.{{cite web |title=My Constitution: Sabah, Sarawak and special interests |url=http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/constitutional_law_committee/my_constitution_sabah_sarawak_and_special_interests.html |publisher=Malaysian Bar |access-date=13 November 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119121428/http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/constitutional_law_committee/my_constitution_sabah_sarawak_and_special_interests.html |archive-date=19 November 2016 |date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}

File:Malaysian and Sarawak passport entry stamps.jpg

To protect the interests of the Sarawakians in the Malaysian federation, special safeguards have been included in the Constitution of Malaysia. These include: control over immigration in and out of the state as well as the residence status of non-Sarawakians and Sabahans, limitations on the practice of law to resident lawyers, independence of the Sarawak High Court from the High Court Peninsular Malaysia, a requirement that the Sarawak Chief Minister be consulted prior to the appointment of the chief judge of the Sarawak High Court, the existence of Native Courts in Sarawak and the power to levy sales tax. Natives in Sarawak enjoy special privileges such as quotas and employment in public service, scholarships, university placements, and business permits.{{cite web |title=My Constitution: About Sabah and Sarawak |url=http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/constitutional_law_committee/my_constitution_about_sabah_and_sarawak.html |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120204222005/http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/constitutional_law_committee/my_constitution_about_sabah_and_sarawak.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |publisher=Malaysian Bar |access-date=13 November 2015 |date=10 January 2011}} Local governments in Sarawak are exempt from local council laws enacted by the Malaysian parliament.Article 95D, Constitution of Malaysia. Accessed on 6 August 2008. This level of autonomy means Sarawak is sometimes referred to as a "region", to differentiate it from less autonomous states.{{Cite web |date=2 April 2021 |title=Muhyiddin calls Sarawak a 'region', Malaysia's model of unity |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/04/02/muhyiddin-calls-sarawak-a-region-malaysias-model-of-unity/ |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}

File:Kuching Sarawak Dewan-Undangan-Negeri-Sarawak-01.jpg is located near the Kuching waterfront.]]

Major political parties in Sarawak can be divided into three categories: native Sarawak Bumiputera (PBB and PBM), native Sarawak Dayak (PRS, PDP, PBDSB, etc.), and non-Bumiputera (SUPP, PSB, PBK, etc.); Parties, however, may also include members from more than one group.{{cite book |last1=R.S |first1=Milne |last2=K.J |first2=Ratnam |title=Malaysia: New States in a New Nation |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-16061-6 |page=71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_kiaAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA69 |access-date=14 November 2015 |quote=... the major parties in each state fall quite neatly into three categories: native-non-Muslim, native-Muslim, and non-native.}} The first political party, the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), was established in 1959, followed by the Parti Negara Sarawak (PANAS) in 1960 and the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in 1961. Other major political parties such as Parti Pesaka Sarawak (PESAKA) appeared by 1962.Alastair, 1993. The first political party, the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) ... (page 118) ... By 1962, there were six parties ... (page 119) These parties later joined the national coalition of the Alliance Party. The Alliance Party (later regrouped into Barisan Nasional) has ruled Sarawak since the formation of Malaysia. The opposition in Sarawak has consistently alleged that the ruling coalition uses various types of vote-buying tactics in order to win elections.Faisal, 2012. ...dispensed state funds for development projects in order to buy votes... (page 14){{cite news |title=Vote-buying, treating, illegal campaigning mars Sarawak polls, says Bersih 2.0 |url=https://aliran.com/coalitions/clean-and-fair-elections/11th-sarawak-state-election-marred-vote-buying-treating-illegal-campaigning/ |access-date=18 June 2017 |publisher=Aliran |date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527000227/https://aliran.com/coalitions/clean-and-fair-elections/11th-sarawak-state-election-marred-vote-buying-treating-illegal-campaigning/ |archive-date=27 May 2016}} Stephen Kalong Ningkan was the first Chief Minister of Sarawak from 1963 to 1966 following his landslide victory in local council elections. However, he was ousted in 1966 by Tawi Sli with the help of the Malaysian federal government, causing the 1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis.

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}}

In 1969, the first Sarawak state election was held, with members of the Council Negri being directly elected by the voters. This election marked the beginning of ethnic Melanau domination in Sarawak politics by Abdul Rahman Ya'kub and Abdul Taib Mahmud. In the same year, the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) which subsequently waged a guerrilla war against the newly elected Sarawak state government, was formed. The party was dissolved after the signing of a peace agreement in 1990. 1973 saw the birth of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) following a merger of several parties.{{cite journal |last1=Chin |first1=James |year=1996 |title=The Sarawak Chinese Voters and Their Support for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) |journal=Southeast Asian Studies |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=387–401 |publisher=Kyoto University Research Information Repository |url=http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/56593/1/KJ00000131931.pdf |access-date=19 June 2014}} This party would later become the backbone of the Sarawak BN coalition. In 1978, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was the first West Malaysia-based party to open its branches in Sarawak. Sarawak originally held state elections together with national parliamentary elections. However, the then chief minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub delayed the dissolution of the state assembly by a year to prepare for the challenges posed by opposition parties.{{cite book |last1=Faisal |first1=S Hazis |title=Domination and Contestation: Muslim Bumiputera Politics in Sarawak |date=2012 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-4311-58-8 |page=91 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nhAU_JcFNZ0C&pg=PA86 |access-date=11 December 2015 |quote=The strongman-politician postponed the negeri election ... (page 91)}} This made Sarawak the only state in Malaysia to hold state elections separate from the national parliamentary elections since 1979.{{cite news |last1=Cheng |first1=Lian |title=Why Sarawak is electorally unique |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/07/why-sarawak-is-electorally-unique/ |access-date=12 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=7 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623190736/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/07/why-sarawak-is-electorally-unique/ |archive-date=23 June 2015 |quote=For this reason, Sarawak held its state and parliamentary elections separately – and has been adhering to the practice since 1979 whereas all the other states still hold the two elections concurrently (see Table).}} In 1983, SNAP started to fragment into several splinter parties due to recurrent leadership crises.{{cite news |title=SNAP faces more resignations over BN move |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/09/snap-faces-more-resignations-over-bn-move/ |date=9 January 2013 |last=Tawie |first=Joseph |work=Free Malaysia Today |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113164442/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/09/snap-faces-more-resignations-over-bn-move/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Analysis: Party loyalty counts for little in Sarawak |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/analysis-party-loyalty-counts-for-little-in-sarawak |date=23 May 2014 |last=Mering |first=Raynore |newspaper=The Malay Mail |access-date=19 June 2014}} The political climate in the state was stable until the 1987 Ming Court Affair, a political coup initiated by Abdul Taib Mahmud's uncle to topple the Taib-led BN coalition. However, the coup was unsuccessful and Taib retained his position as chief minister.{{cite news |title=SPECIAL REPORT: The Ming Court Affair (subscription required) |url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/51574 |date=9 January 2013 |work=Malaysiakini |access-date=23 June 2014}}

Since the 2006 state election, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has derived the majority of its support from urban centres and became the largest opposition party in Sarawak.{{cite news |title=BN retains Sarawak, Taib sworn in as CM |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2011/04/16/unofficial-results-bn-retains-sarawak/ |date=16 April 2011 |work=Free Malaysia Today |access-date=23 June 2014 |archive-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113155746/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2011/04/16/unofficial-results-bn-retains-sarawak/ |url-status=dead}} In 2010, it formed the Pakatan Rakyat coalition with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS); the latter two parties had become active in Sarawak between 1996 and 2001.{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/24/nation/6125445&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425074915/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F4%2F24%2Fnation%2F6125445&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2010 |title=DAP: Sarawak Pakatan formed to promote two-party system |last=Chua |first=Andy |date=24 April 2010 |work=The Star (Malaysia) |publisher=Star Publications |access-date=23 June 2014}} Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia where West Malaysia-based component parties in the BN coalition, especially the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), have not been active in state politics.{{cite news |title=Muhyiddin: Umno need not be in Sarawak |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/02/14/Muhyiddin-Umno-need-not-be-in-Sarawak/ |date=14 February 2014 |last=Ling |first=Sharon |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=23 June 2014}}

On 12 June 2018, the Sarawak Parties Alliance was formed by the BN parties in the state in the aftermath of an historic meeting of party leaders in Kuching, where they decided that in light of the BN defeat in the 2018 Malaysian general election and the changing national situation and a new government, the parties will leave the BN altogether.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/12/sarawak-bn-parties-pull-out-of-coalition/ |title=Sarawak BN parties pull out of coalition to form independent state-based pact |author1=Sharon Ling |author2=Geryl Ogilvy |work=The Star |date=12 June 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018}} In conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia Day in 2018 under the new government, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has promised to restore the status of Sarawak (together with Sabah) as an equal partner to Malaya, where all three parties (and then, Singapore) formed Malaysia in accordance to the Malaysia Agreement.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/16/sabah-sarawak-to-be-restored-as-equal-partners-forming-malaysia-not-just-component-states-says-dr-m/ |title=Sabah, Sarawak to be restored as equal partners forming Malaysia, says Dr M |author1=Stephanie Lee |author2=Fatimah Zainal |work=The Star |date=16 September 2018 |access-date=17 September 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-sarawak-to-be-restored-as-equal-partners-forming-malaysia-not-just-component |title=Sabah, Sarawak to be restored as equal partners forming Malaysia, not just component states, says PM Mahathir |work=The Star/Asia News Network |publisher=The Straits Times |date=16 September 2018 |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917012801/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-sarawak-to-be-restored-as-equal-partners-forming-malaysia-not-just-component |archive-date=17 September 2018 |url-status=dead}} However, through the process of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia in 2019, the bill for the amendment failed to pass following the failure to reach two-thirds majority support (148 votes) in the Parliament with only 138 agreed with the move while 59 abstained from the voting.{{cite web |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/no-twothirds-majority-bill-make-sabah-sarawak-equal-partners |title=No two-thirds majority for Bill to make Sabah, Sarawak equal partners |author=Adam Aziz |publisher=The Edge Markets |date=9 April 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410021305/https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/no-twothirds-majority-bill-make-sabah-sarawak-equal-partners |archive-date=10 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/133634/status-of-sabah-sarawak-stays/ |title=Status of Sabah, Sarawak stays |work=Bernama |publisher=Daily Express |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410022521/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/133634/status-of-sabah-sarawak-stays/ |archive-date=10 April 2019 |url-status=dead}} On 14 December 2021, the proposed amendment was passed in the Parliament unanimously with 199 votes in favour, and 21 MPs absent from the 6-hour long debate.{{Cite web |last=Zulkifli |first=Ahmad Mustakim |date=14 December 2021 |title=MPs unanimously vote for constitutional amendments to empower Sabah, Sarawak |url=https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/12/14/mps-unanimously-vote-for-constitutional-amendments-to-empower-sabah-sarawak/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |website=MalaysiaNow |language=en-GB}}

{{main|Divisions of Malaysia|Districts of Malaysia|List of local governments in Malaysia}}

Unlike states in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is divided into 12 divisions, each headed by an appointed resident.{{cite web |title=Sarawak population |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/240/175/ |website=The Official Portal of the Sarawak Government |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907190444/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/240/175/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}}{{cite web |title=Administrative Divisions and Districts |url=http://sarawakfacts.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/cls_list.php?clsid=34&catid=160&subcatid=&polid=137 |publisher=The Sarawak Government |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723154751/http://sarawakfacts.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/cls_list.php?clsid=34&catid=160&subcatid=&polid=137 |archive-date=23 July 2015}}

On 26 November 2015, it was announced that the Kuching Division district of Serian would become Sarawak's 12th division and it had officiated by Adenan Satem at its formal creation on 11 April 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/04/12/serian-now-a-division/ |title=Serian now a division |author=Samuel Aubrey |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714214829/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/04/12/serian-now-a-division/ |archive-date=14 July 2015}}

A division is divided into districts, each headed by a district officer, which are in turn divided into sub-districts, each headed by a Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO). There is also one development officer for each division and district to implement development projects. The state government appoints a headman (known as ketua kampung or penghulu) for each village. There are a total of 26 sub-districts in Sarawak all under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.{{cite web |title=Organisation Structure |url=http://www.kktpk.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=80&menu_id=0&sub_id=123 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907172156/http://www.kktpk.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=80&menu_id=0&sub_id=123 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2014 |website=Official Website of Ministry of Local Government and Community Development |access-date=14 November 2015}} The list of divisions, districts, sub-districts and their local authorities is shown in the table below:{{cite web |title=Sarawak – Facts and Figures 2011 |url=https://jkm.sarawak.gov.my/upload/file_folder/SPU/Sarawak%20Facts%20%26%20Figures%202011.pdf |publisher=Sarawak State Planning Unit, Chief Minister Department |access-date=24 November 2015 |pages=5, 9, 15, 22 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806235444/https://jkm.sarawak.gov.my/upload/file_folder/SPU/Sarawak%20Facts%20%26%20Figures%202011.pdf |url-status=dead}}

The first paramilitary armed forces in Sarawak, a regiment formed by the Brooke regime in 1862, were known as the Sarawak Rangers.{{cite book |last1=Nicholas |first1=Taring |title=Imperialism in Southeast Asia |date=29 August 2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-57081-2 |page=319 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BqGBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT319 |access-date=23 December 2015 |quote=Charles Brooke set up the Sarawak Rangers in 1862 as a paramilitary force for pacifying 'ulu' Dayaks.}} The regiment, renowned for its jungle tracking skills, served in the campaign to end the intertribal wars in Sarawak. It also engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese, in the Malayan Emergency (in West Malaysia) and the Sarawak Communist Insurgency against the communists. Following the formation of Malaysia, the regiment was absorbed into the Malaysian military forces and is now known as the Royal Ranger Regiment.{{cite web |title=Royal Ranger Regiment (Malaysia) |url=http://discovermilitary.com/world-military/royal-ranger-regiment-malaysia/ |website=discovermilitary.com |access-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208045818/http://discovermilitary.com/world-military/royal-ranger-regiment-malaysia/ |archive-date=8 December 2012}}

In 1888, Sarawak, together with neighbouring North Borneo, and Brunei, became British protectorates, and the responsibility for foreign policy was handed over to the British in exchange for military protection.{{cite book |last1=Charles |first1=de Ledesma |last2=Mark |first2=Lewis |last3=Pauline |first3=Savage |title=Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei |date=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-84353-094-7 |page=723 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hS0_GehsGPwC&pg=PA723 |access-date=2 November 2015 |quote=In 1888, the three states of Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei were transformed into protectorates, a status which handed over the responsibility for their foreign policy to the British in exchange for military protection.}} Since the formation of Malaysia, the Malaysian federal government has been solely responsible for foreign policy and military forces in the country.{{cite web |title=Ninth schedule – Legislative lists |url=http://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/const/1957/24.html |publisher=Commonwealth Legal Information Institute |access-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915024439/http://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/const/1957/24.html |archive-date=15 September 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Chin Huat |first1=Wong |title=Can Sarawak have an army? |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2011/09/27/can-sarawak-have-an-army/ |access-date=22 December 2015 |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=27 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222223229/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2011/09/27/can-sarawak-have-an-army/ |archive-date=22 December 2015}}

{{See also|Territorial disputes in the South China Sea}}

Several border disputes between Malaysia and its neighbouring countries concern Sarawak. Land and maritime disputes exist with Brunei.{{cite book |author=R. Haller-Trost |title=The Brunei-Malaysia Dispute Over Territorial and Maritime Claims in International Law |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMJYOA6g_dYC&pg=PA20 |year=1994 |publisher=IBRU |isbn=978-1-897643-07-5 |pages=20–}} In 2009, Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi claimed that in a meeting with Sultan of Brunei, Brunei agreed to drop its claim over Limbang.{{cite news |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |title=Brunei drops all claims to Limbang |author=Ubaidillah Masli |newspaper=The Brunei Times |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712162447/http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |archive-date=12 July 2014 |url-status=dead}} This was however denied by the second Foreign Minister of Brunei Lim Jock Seng, stating the issue was never discussed during the meeting.{{cite news |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/18/limbang_issue_was_never_discussed_pehin_dato_lim |title=Limbang issue was never discussed: Pehin Dato Lim |author=Ubaidillah Masli |newspaper=The Brunei Times |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215192853/http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/18/limbang_issue_was_never_discussed_pehin_dato_lim |archive-date=15 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} James Shoal (Betting Serupai) and the Luconia Shoals (Betting Raja Jarum/Patinggi Ali), islands in the South China Sea, fall within Sarawak's exclusive economic zone, but concerns have been raised about Chinese incursions.{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/02/05/loss-of-james-shoal-could-wipe-out-states-eez/ |title=Loss of James Shoal could wipe out state's EEZ |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=17 May 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/03/china-coast-guard-vessel-found-at-luconia-shoals/ |title=China Coast Guard vessel found at Luconia Shoals |author=Jenifer Laeng |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=3 June 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/09/27/presence-of-china-coast-guard-ship-at-luconia-shoals-spooks-local-fishermen/ |title=Presence of China Coast Guard ship at Luconia Shoals spooks local fishermen |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=27 September 2015 |access-date=28 September 2015}} There are also several Sarawak–Kalimantan border issues with Indonesia.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103802 |title=Border disputes differ for Indonesia, M'sia |newspaper=Daily Express |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=16 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216030658/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103802 |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}

File:Julan_waterfall_01.jpg) is the highest waterfall in Sarawak{{cite web |title=Trekking to Western Julan waterfall, the highest in Sarawak |url=https://sarawaktourism.com/itinerary/western-julan-waterfall/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=7 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007224415/https://sarawaktourism.com/itinerary/western-julan-waterfall/ |archive-date=7 October 2018}}]]

The total land area of Sarawak is nearly {{cvt|124450|km2|sqmi}}, making up 37.5 per cent of the total area of Malaysia, and lies between the northern latitudes 0° 50′ and 5° and eastern longitudes 109° 36′ and 115° 40′ E.{{cite web |title=Geography of Sarawak |url=http://www.spu.sarawak.gov.my/geography.html |website=Official website of state planning unit Chief Minister's Department of Sarawak |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423011032/http://www.spu.sarawak.gov.my/geography.html |archive-date=23 April 2015}} Its {{cvt|750|km|mi}} of coastline is interrupted in the north by about {{cvt|150|km|mi}} of Bruneian coast.{{cite book |author=Frans Welman |title=Borneo Trilogy Sarawak: Volume 2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A-H-O8pxUnMC&pg=PA132 |access-date=28 August 2013 |publisher=Booksmango |isbn=978-616-245-089-1 |pages=132, 134, 136–138, 177 |date=9 March 2017}} A total of its {{cvt|45.5|km|mi}} coastline have been eroding.{{cite journal |url=https://water.gov.my/jps/resources/auto%20download%20images/5844e2ec68076.pdf |title=Coastal erosion management in Malaysia |author=Ir. Ooi Choon Ann |journal=Director of Coastal Engineering Division Department of Irrigation and Drainage of Malaysia, Proc. 13th Annual Seminar of the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences |via=Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources of Malaysia |year=1996 |access-date=14 October 2019 |pages=9 (10) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014050909/https://water.gov.my/jps/resources/auto%20download%20images/5844e2ec68076.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2019 |url-status=dead}} In 1961, Sarawak including neighbouring Sabah, which had been included in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the participation of the United Kingdom, became joint associate members of the IMO.{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/1961/CN.144.1961-Eng.pdf |title=Convention on the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organization Done at Geneva on 6 March 1948 [Communication From the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland] |publisher=United Nations |date=13 November 1961 |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215055512/https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/1961/CN.144.1961-Eng.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2019 |url-status=dead}} Sarawak is separated from Kalimantan Borneo by ranges of high hills and mountains that are part of the central mountain range of Borneo. These become loftier to the north, and are highest near the source of the Baram River at the steep Mount Batu Lawi and Mount Mulu. Mount Murud is the highest point in Sarawak.

Sarawak has a tropical geography with an equatorial climate and experiences two monsoon seasons: a northeast monsoon and a southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon occurs between November and February, bringing heavy rainfall while the southwest monsoon, which occurs between March and October, brings somewhat less rainfall. The climate is stable throughout the year except for the two monsoons, with average daily temperature varying between {{cvt|23|C|F}} in the morning to {{cvt|32|C|F}} in the afternoon at coastal areas. Miri has the lowest average temperatures in comparison to other major towns in Sarawak and has the longest daylight hours (more than six hours a day), while other areas receive sunshine for five to six hours a day. Humidity is usually high, exceeding 68 per cent, with annual rainfall varying between {{cvt|330|cm|in}} and {{cvt|460|cm|in}} for up to 220 days a year. At highland areas, the temperature can vary from {{cvt|16|C|F}} to {{cvt|25|C|F}} during the day and as low as {{cvt|11|C|F}} during the night.{{cite web |title=The Geography of Sarawak |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/159/176/ |website=The official website of Sarawak Government |publisher=Sarawak Government |access-date=18 June 2017}}

Sarawak is divided into three ecoregions. The coastal region is rather low-lying and flat with large areas of swamp and other wet environments. Beaches in Sarawak include Pasir Panjang{{cite web |title=Pasir Panjang, Kuching |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/pasir-panjang/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227125143/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/pasir-panjang/ |archive-date=27 December 2015}} and Damai beaches in Kuching,{{cite web |title=Damai Beach Resort |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/damai-beach-resort/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227125311/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/damai-beach-resort/ |archive-date=27 December 2015}} Tanjung Batu beach in Bintulu,{{cite web |title=Tanjung Batu Beach, Bintulu |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/tanjung-batu-beach/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117112532/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/tanjung-batu-beach/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}} and Tanjung Lobang{{cite web |title=Brighton Beach/Tanjung Lobang |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/brighton-beach-tanjung-lobang/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413155555/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/brighton-beach-tanjung-lobang/ |archive-date=13 April 2015}} and Hawaii beaches in Miri.{{cite web |title=Hawaii Beach |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/hawaii-beach/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413162747/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/hawaii-beach/ |archive-date=13 April 2015}} Hilly terrain accounts for much of the inhabited land and is where most of the cities and towns are found. The ports of Kuching and Sibu are built some distance from the coast on rivers while Bintulu and Miri are close to the coastline where the hills stretch right to the South China Sea. The third region is the mountainous region along the Sarawak{{ndash}}Kalimantan border, where a number of villages such as Bario, Ba'kelalan, and Usun Apau Plieran are located. A number of rivers flow through Sarawak, with the Sarawak River being the main river flowing through Kuching. The Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia, measuring {{cvt|563|km}} including its tributary, Balleh River. To the north, the Baram, Limbang and Trusan Rivers drain into the Brunei Bay.

File:Rajang delta.jpg is the longest river in Malaysia]]

Sarawak can be divided into two geological zones: the Sunda Shield, which extends southwest from the Batang Lupar River (near Sri Aman) and forms the southern tip of Sarawak, and the geosyncline region, which extends northeast to the Batang Lupar River, forming the central and northern regions of Sarawak. The oldest rock type in southern Sarawak is schist formed during the Carboniferous and Lower Permian times, while the youngest igneous rock in this region, andesite, can be found at Sematan. Geological formation of the central and northern regions started during the late Cretaceous period. Other types of stone that can be found in central and northern Sarawak are shale, sandstone, and chert. The Miri Division in eastern Sarawak is the region of Neogene strata containing organic rich rock formations which are the prolific oil and gas reserves. The rocks enriched in organic components are mudstones in Lambir, Miri and Tukau Formations of Middle Miocene-Lower Pliocene age.{{Cite journal |last1=Togunwa |first1=Olayinka |last2=Abdullah |first2=Wan |date=10 August 2017 |title=Geochemical characterization of Neogene sediments from onshore West Baram Delta Province, Sarawak: paleoenvironment, source input and thermal maturity |journal=Open Geosciences |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=302–313 |doi=10.1515/geo-2017-0025 |bibcode=2017OGeo....9...25T |issn=2391-5447 |doi-access=free}} Significant quantities of Sarawak soil are lithosols, up to 60 per cent, and podsols, around 12 per cent, while abundant alluvial soil is found in coastal and riverine regions. 12 per cent of Sarawak is covered with peat swamp forest. Limestone with well-developed karst topography and cave systems is found scattered from west to east Sarawak, but concentrated in certain regions such as in the Bau district in the west and southwards near the Kalimantan border.{{Cite book |last=Hutchison |first=Charles S. |title=Geology of north-west Borneo: Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah |date=2005 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=0-08-046089-5 |location=Amsterdam |oclc=162130402}}

There are thirty national parks,{{cite web |title=Sarawak National Parks |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Department |access-date=25 June 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020031608/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp.html |url-status=dead}} among which are Niah with its eponymous caves,{{cite web |title=Niah National Park, Miri |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/niah-national-park-miri/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226131410/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/niah-national-park-miri/ |archive-date=26 December 2015}} the highly developed ecosystem around Lambir Hills,{{cite web |title=Lambir Hills National Park |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-lambir.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Corporation |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530045056/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-lambir.html |archive-date=30 May 2015}} and the World Heritage Site of Gunung Mulu.{{cite web |title=Gunung Mulu National Park |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1013 |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016060027/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1013 |archive-date=16 October 2015}}{{cite web |title=Gunung Mulu National Park (Malaysia) |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/2431/ |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116095437/https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/2431/ |archive-date=16 November 2015}} The last contains Sarawak Chamber, one of the world's largest underground chambers,{{cite magazine |last1=Vergano |first1=Dan |title=China's "Supercave" Takes Title as World's Most Enormous Cavern |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/140927-largest-cave-china-exploration-science/ |access-date=6 April 2017 |magazine=National Geographic |date=27 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131062902/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/140927-largest-cave-china-exploration-science |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} Deer Cave, the largest cave passage in the world,{{cite web |title=Deer Cave and Lang's Cave |url=http://www.mulunationalpark.com/show-caves-deer-langs.php |publisher=Mulu National Park |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712112352/http://www.mulunationalpark.com/show-caves-deer-langs.php |archive-date=12 July 2015}} and Clearwater Cave, the longest cave system in Southeast Asia.{{cite web |title=Clearwater cave and Wind Cave |url=http://www.mulunationalpark.com/show-caves-clearwater-wind.php |publisher=Gunung Mulu National Park |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712094552/http://www.mulunationalpark.com/show-caves-clearwater-wind.php |archive-date=12 July 2015}}{{cite web |title=Gunung Mulu National Park |url=http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/es/places/states-of-malaysia/sarawak/gunung-mulu-national-park |publisher=Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017082915/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/es/places/states-of-malaysia/sarawak/gunung-mulu-national-park |archive-date=17 October 2015}}

File:Mulu_Pinnacles.jpg|alt=Tall, light grey stone columns protruding above a forest|Pinnacles at Gunung Mulu National Park

File:Mount_Murud_Summit_02.jpg|The vegetations at the summit of Mount Murud

File:South China Sea, Sarawak (7246670486).jpg|South China Sea view from Sarawak

File:Bako National Park (3678650933).jpg|alt=A mudflat receding into the sea in the distance, with a cloud-topped mountain beyond|Parts of the Bako National Park

{{See also|Fauna of Borneo|Deforestation in Borneo|Sarawak Biodiversity Centre}}

Sarawak contains large tracts of tropical rainforest with diverse plant species,{{cite web |title=Borneo plants |url=http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/about_borneo_forests/borneo_animals/borneo_plants/ |publisher=World Wide Fund for Nature |access-date=2 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425204321/http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/about_borneo_forests/borneo_animals/borneo_plants |archive-date=25 April 2016}} which has led to a number of them being studied for medicinal properties.{{cite news |title=Medicinal plants around us |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/24/medicinal-plants-around-us/ |access-date=16 November 2015 |work=The Malaysian Nature Society |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=24 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830015043/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/24/medicinal-plants-around-us/ |archive-date=30 August 2014}} Mangrove and nipah forests lining its estuaries comprise 2% of its forested area, peat swamp forests along other parts of its coastline cover 16%, Kerangas forest covers 5% and Dipterocarpaceae forests cover most mountainous areas. The major trees found in estuary forests include bako and nibong, while those in the peat swamp forests include ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), meranti (Shorea), and medang jongkong (Dactylocladus stenostachys).

File:How to peel a banana with your foot (26443349170).jpg

Animal species are also highly varied, with 185 species of mammals, 530 species of birds, 166 species of snakes, 104 species of lizards, and 113 species of amphibians, of which 19 per cent of the mammals, 6 per cent of the birds, 20 per cent of the snakes and 32 per cent of the lizards are endemic. These species are largely found in Totally Protected Areas. There are over 2,000 tree species in Sarawak. Other plants includes 1,000 species of orchids, 757 species of ferns, and 260 species of palm.{{cite web |title=Sarawak National Park – Biodiversity Conservation |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-bc.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Department |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128010731/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-bc.html |url-status=dead}} The state is the habitat of endangered animals, including the borneo pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, orangutans and Sumatran rhinoceroses.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8296131/Rainforest-is-destroyed-for-palm-oil-plantations-on-Malaysias-island-state-of-Sarawak.html?image=5 |title=Rainforest is destroyed for palm oil plantations on Malaysia's island state of Sarawak (Image 1 and Image 2) |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206085015/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8296131/Rainforest-is-destroyed-for-palm-oil-plantations-on-Malaysias-island-state-of-Sarawak.html?image=5 |archive-date=6 February 2011}}
{{*}} {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8296131/Rainforest-is-destroyed-for-palm-oil-plantations-on-Malaysias-island-state-of-Sarawak.html?image=8 |title=Rainforest is destroyed for palm oil plantations on Malaysia's island state of Sarawak (Image 3) |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207212130/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8296131/Rainforest-is-destroyed-for-palm-oil-plantations-on-Malaysias-island-state-of-Sarawak.html?image=8 |archive-date=7 February 2011}}
{{*}} {{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/05/sumatran-orangutans-rainforest-home-faces-new-threat/ |title=Sumatran Orangutans' rainforest home faces new threat |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=5 May 2013 |access-date=21 August 2014}}
{{*}} {{Cite iucn |author=Meijaard, E. |author2=Nijman, V. |author3=Supriatna, J. |name-list-style=amp |title=Nasalis larvatus |volume=2008 |page=e.T14352A4434312 |date=2008 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14352A4434312.en |access-date=12 January 2018}} Matang Wildlife Centre, Semenggoh Nature Reserve, and Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary{{cite web |title=25 success stories |url=http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id=2796&no=0&disp=inline |publisher=International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613011444/http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id%3D2796%26no%3D0%26disp%3Dinline |archive-date=13 June 2015 |pages=44–45 |url-status=dead}} are noted for their orangutan protection programmes.{{cite web |title=Semenggoh Nature Reserve |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/semenggoh-nature-reserve/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508013152/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/semenggoh-nature-reserve/ |archive-date=8 May 2015}}{{cite web |title=Matang Wildlife Centre |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/matang-wildlife-centre/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514234944/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/matang-wildlife-centre/ |archive-date=14 May 2015}} Talang{{ndash}}Satang National Park is notable for its turtle conservation initiatives.{{cite web |title=Talang-Satang National Park |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/talang-satang-national-park/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116071641/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/talang-satang-national-park/ |archive-date=16 November 2015}} Birdwatching is a common activity in various national parks such as Gunung Mulu National Park, Lambir Hills National Park,{{cite web |title=Birding in Sarawak |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/birding-in-sarawak/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516085037/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/birding-in-sarawak/ |archive-date=16 May 2015}} and Similajau National Park.{{cite web |title=Similajau National Park |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/similajau-national-park/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508014847/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/similajau-national-park/ |archive-date=8 May 2015}} Miri{{ndash}}Sibuti National Park is known for its coral reefs{{cite web |title=Diving in Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/diving-in-miri-sibuti-coral-reef-national-park/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504000343/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/diving-in-miri-sibuti-coral-reef-national-park/ |archive-date=4 May 2015}} and Gunung Gading National Park for its Rafflesia flowers.{{cite web |title=Gunung Gading National Park |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/gunung-gading-national-park/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516085552/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/gunung-gading-national-park/ |archive-date=16 May 2015}} Bako National Park, the oldest national park in Sarawak, is known for its 275 proboscis monkeys,{{cite web |title=Bako National Park |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Corporation |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925040118/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html |archive-date=25 September 2015}} and Padawan Pitcher Garden for its various carnivorous pitcher plants.{{cite web |title=Padawan Pitcher Plant & Wild Orchid Centre |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/padawan-pitcher-plant-wild-orchid-garden/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409045310/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/padawan-pitcher-plant-wild-orchid-garden/ |archive-date=9 April 2015}} In 1854, Alfred Russel Wallace visited Sarawak. A year later, he formulated the "Sarawak Law" which foreshadowed the formulation of his (and Darwin's) theory of evolution by natural selection three years later.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Alan |title=Wallace and the Sarawak Law |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/14/wallace-and-the-sarawak-law/ |access-date=15 November 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=14 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115022532/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/14/wallace-and-the-sarawak-law/ |archive-date=15 November 2016}}

The Sarawak state government has enacted several laws to protect its forests and endangered wildlife species. Some of the protected species are the orangutan, green sea turtle, flying lemur, and piping hornbill. Under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, Sarawak natives are given permissions to hunt for a restricted range of wild animals in the jungles but should not possess more than {{cvt|5|kg}} of meat.{{cite news |last1=Lian |first1=Cheng |title=Protected wildlife on the menu |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/03/31/protected-wildlife-on-the-menu/ |access-date=16 November 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=31 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401105507/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/03/31/protected-wildlife-on-the-menu/ |archive-date=1 April 2013}} The Sarawak Forest Department was established in 1919 to conserve forest resources in the state.{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=75&menu_id=0&sub_id=115 |publisher=Official website of Forest Department Sarawak |access-date=16 November 2015 |quote=Mr. J.P. Mead became the first Conservator of Forests, Sarawak Forest Department, in 1919. The objectives of the Department were to manage and conserve the State's forest resources. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119121104/http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=75&menu_id=0&sub_id=115 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |url-status=dead}} Following international criticism of the logging industry in Sarawak, the state government decided to downsize the Sarawak Forest Department and created the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in 1995.{{cite web |last1=Barney |first1=Chan |title=6. INSTITUTIONAL RESTRUCTURING IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ai412e/AI412E10.htm |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719063139/http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ai412e/AI412E10.htm |archive-date=19 July 2012}}{{cite web |title=Sarawak Forestry Corporation – About Us – FAQ |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/aboutus-faq.html |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Corporation |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512164659/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/aboutus-faq.html |archive-date=12 May 2015}} The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre was set up in 1997 for the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of biodiversity in the state.{{cite web |title=About Sarawak Biodiversity Centre – Profile |url=http://www.sbc.org.my/about-sbc |publisher=Sarawak Biodiversity Centre |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206075233/http://www.sbc.org.my/about-sbc |archive-date=6 December 2014}}

File:Sarawak, Cultural Village 11.jpg]]

Sarawak's rain forests are primarily threatened by the logging industry and palm oil plantations.{{cite news |last1=Tom |first1=Young |title=Malaysian palm oil destroying forests, report warns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/feb/02/malaysian-palm-oil-forests |access-date=28 July 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529234141/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/feb/02/malaysian-palm-oil-forests |archive-date=29 May 2014}} The issue of human rights of the Penan and deforestation in Sarawak became an international environmental issue when Swiss activist Bruno Manser visited Sarawak regularly between 1984 and 2000.{{cite magazine |last=Elegant |first=Simon |title=Without a Trace |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,172580,00.html |date=3 September 2001 |magazine=Time magazine Asia |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 August 2014}} Deforestation has affected the life of indigenous tribes, especially the Penan, whose livelihood is heavily dependent on forest produce. This led to several blockades by indigenous tribes during the 1980s and 1990s against logging companies encroaching on their lands.{{cite web |title=Sarawak and the Penan |url=http://bmf.ch/en/about-us/sarawak-and-the-penan/ |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708203915/http://www.bmf.ch/en/about-us/sarawak-and-the-penan/ |archive-date=8 July 2015}} Indeed, illegal logging in particular has decimated the forest regions indigenous populations depend on for their livelihoods, depleting fish, wildlife, but also traditional medicinal herbs and construction staples like Palm.{{cite journal |title=Sarawak, Malaysia Infringement of the Rights of Indigenous People by Continuous Illegal Logging Practices |journal=Human Rights Now |date=2016 |page=16 |url=http://hrn.or.jp/eng/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0df9bf57ee7d367d4dbfac6dcfbf7c37.pdf |location=Tokyo, Japan}} There have also been cases where Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands have been given to timber and plantation companies without the permission of the locals.{{cite web |title=Native Customary Rights in Sarawak |date=19 February 2010 |url=http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/malaysia/native-customary-rights-sarawak |publisher=Cultural Survival |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005075934/http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/malaysia/native-customary-rights-sarawak |archive-date=5 October 2015}} The indigenous people have resorted to legal means to reinstate their NCR. In 2001 the High Court of Sarawak fully reinstated the NCR land claimed by the Rumah Nor people, but this was overturned partially in 2005. However, this case has served as a precedent, leading to more NCR being upheld by the high court in the following years.{{cite web |title=Rumah Nor: A Land Rights Case for Malaysia |url=http://borneoproject.org/our-work/rumah-nor-a-land-rights-case-for-malaysia |publisher=The Borneo Project |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208085935/http://borneoproject.org/our-work/rumah-nor-a-land-rights-case-for-malaysia |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Jessica |first1=Lawrence |title=Earth Island News – Borneo Project – Indigenous victory overturned |url=http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/borneo_project2/ |publisher=Earth Island Institute |access-date=17 November 2015}} Sarawak's mega-dam policies, such as the Bakun Dam and Murum Dam projects, have submerged thousands of hectares of forest and displaced thousands of indigenous people.{{cite web |last1=Rhett |first1=Butler |title=Power, profit, and pollution: dams and the uncertain future of Sarawak |date=3 September 2009 |url=http://news.mongabay.com/2009/09/power-profit-and-pollution-dams-and-the-uncertain-future-of-sarawak/ |publisher=Mongabay |access-date=17 November 2015 |quote=One dam has already displaced 10,000 native people and will flood an area the size of Singapore.}}{{cite web |title=Bakun Dam |url=https://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/bakun-dam |publisher=International Rivers |access-date=17 November 2015}} Since 2013, the proposed Baram Dam project has been delayed due to ongoing protests from local indigenous tribes.{{cite web |title=Sarawak, Malaysia |url=https://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/sarawak-malaysia |publisher=International Rivers |access-date=17 November 2015 |quote=Work on access roads to the dam site began but came to a halt in October 2013 when local communities launched two blockades to stop construction and other project preparations from proceeding.}} Since 2014, the Sarawak government under chief minister Adenan Satem started to take action against illegal logging in the state and to diversify the economy of the state.{{cite news |last1=Vanitha |first1=Nadaraj |title=Battle Against Illegal Logging in Sarawak Begins |url=http://www.establishmentpost.com/battle-illegal-logging-sarawak-begins/ |access-date=18 November 2015 |publisher=The Establishment Post |date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921054212/http://www.establishmentpost.com/battle-illegal-logging-sarawak-begins/ |archive-date=21 September 2015}} Through the course of 2016 over 2 million acres of forest, much of it in orangutan habitats, were declared protected areas.{{cite news |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2016/08/sarawak-announces-department-of-national-parks-and-wildlife-to-open-next-year/ |title=Sarawak establishes 2.2M acres of protected areas, may add 1.1M more |author=Mike Gaworecki |newspaper=Mongabay |date=19 August 2016 |access-date=22 August 2016}}

Sources vary as to Sarawak's remaining forest cover: former chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud declared that it fell from 70% to 48% between 2011 and 2012, the Sarawak Forest Department and the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment both held that it remained at 80% in 2012,{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Tawie |title='What's really left of our forest, Taib?' |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/25/whats-really-left-of-our-forest-taib/ |access-date=16 November 2015 |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102121203/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/25/whats-really-left-of-our-forest-taib/ |archive-date=2 November 2012}}{{cite web |title=Types and Categories of Sarawak's Forests |url=http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=593&menu_id=0&sub_id=160 |publisher=Sarawak Forest Department |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122014750/http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=593&menu_id=0&sub_id=160 |archive-date=22 November 2016 |url-status=dead}} and Wetlands International reported that it fell by 10% between 2005 and 2010, 3.5 times faster than the rest of Asia combined.{{cite report |title=Impact of oil palm plantations on peatland conversion in Sarawak 2005-2010 |date=January 2011 |url=http://archive.wetlands.org/Portals/0/publications/Report/Sarvision%20Sarawak%20Report%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820120140/http://archive.wetlands.org/Portals/0/publications/Report/Sarvision%20Sarawak%20Report%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |archive-date=20 August 2017 |access-date=25 June 2017 |website=Wetlands International}}

{{Main|Economy of Sarawak}}

{{Pie chart

| caption=Sarawak GDP share by sector (2021){{cite web |url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=102&bul_id=VS9Gckp1UUpKQUFWS1JHUnJZS2xzdz09&menu_id=TE5CRUZCblh4ZTZMODZIbmk2aWRRQT09 |title=GDP By State (2016–2021) |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |date=30 September 2021 |access-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804081413/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column%2FcthemeByCat&cat=102&bul_id=VS9Gckp1UUpKQUFWS1JHUnJZS2xzdz09&menu_id=TE5CRUZCblh4ZTZMODZIbmk2aWRRQT09 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}

| label1 = Services

| value1 = 38.1

| color1 = #000080

| label2 = Manufacturing

| value2 = 24.9

| color2 = #800080

| label3 = Mining & Quarrying

| value3 = 20.6

| color3 = #008080

| label4 = Agriculture

| value4 = 14

| color4 = #008000

| label5 = Construction

| value5 = 4.9

| color5 = #808000

| label6 = Import Duties

| value6 = 0.3

| color6 = #8B0000

}}

File:Bintulu LNG port.jpg

Historically, Sarawak's economy was stagnant during the rule of previous three white Rajahs. After the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak GDP growth rate has risen due to increase in petroleum output and the rise in global petroleum prices. However, the state economy is less diversified and still heavily dependent upon the export of primary commodities when compared to Malaysia overall. The per capita GDP in Sarawak was lower than the national average from 1970 to 1990.{{cite journal |last1=Furuoka |first1=Fumitaka |title=Economic development in Sarawak, Malaysia. An overview |journal=Munich Personal RePEc Archive |date=2014 |issue=60477 |pages=1–13 |url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/60477/1/MPRA_paper_60477.pdf |access-date=18 June 2017}} As of 2021, GDP per capita for Sarawak stands at RM 65,971 (US$15,173), which is the third highest in Malaysia. However, the urban-rural income gap remained a major problem in Sarawak.{{cite news |title=Government aims to close income gap between urban, rural areas – Uggah |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/09/29/government-aims-to-close-income-gap-between-urban-rural-areas-uggah/ |access-date=18 June 2017 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=29 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005060311/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/09/29/government-aims-to-close-income-gap-between-urban-rural-areas-uggah/ |archive-date=5 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Sarawak is abundant in natural resources, and primary industries such as mining, agriculture, and forestry accounted for 32.8% of its economy in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.marc.com.my/index.php/economic-research/country-reports/country-reports-2015/757-the-state-of-sarawak-18-august-2015/file |title=The State of Sarawak |access-date=12 November 2015 |publisher=Malaysia Rating Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118060310/http://www.marc.com.my/index.php/economic-research/country-reports/country-reports-2015/757-the-state-of-sarawak-18-august-2015/file |archive-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead}} It also specialises in the manufacture of food and beverages, wood-based and rattan products, basic metal products, and petrochemicals, as well as cargo and air services and tourism.

The state's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 40.5% per year on average from 2010 to 2021,{{cite web |last1=Chang |first1=Ngee Hui |title=High Growth SMEs and Regional Development – The Sarawak Perspective |url=http://www.epu.gov.my/documents/10124/a3d2dc14-3e31-44e5-8f37-37cd3b268900 |publisher=State Planning Unit, Sarawak Chief Minister Department |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121023827/http://www.epu.gov.my/documents/10124/a3d2dc14-3e31-44e5-8f37-37cd3b268900 |archive-date=21 November 2015 |date=2009}} but became very more volatile later on, ranging from −3.0% in 2009 to 35.0% in 2021. Sarawak contributed 9.5% of Malaysia's GDP in the nine years leading up to 2020, making it the third largest contributor after Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. From 2015 to 2021, the oil and gas industry accounted for 55.2% of the Sarawak government's revenue. It attracted RM 80 billion (US$17.85 billion) in foreign investments, with 95% going to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), the second largest economic corridor in Malaysia.

Sarawak has an estimate of 800 million barrels of proven oil reserves with further are to be discovered based on recent findings.{{cite web|url=https://recoda.gov.my/priority-industries/oil-based-industries/|title=Oil & Gas Industry|work=Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA)|access-date=11 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210231308/https://recoda.gov.my/priority-industries/oil-based-industries/|archive-date=10 February 2025|url-status=live}} The export-oriented economy is dominated by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which accounts for more than half of total exports. Crude petroleum accounts for 45.1%, while palm oil, sawlogs, and sawn timber account for 12.0% collectively. The state receives a 5% royalty from Petronas over oil explorations in its territorial waters.{{cite news |last1=Desmond |first1=Davidson |title=Adenan pledges to keep fighting for 20% oil royalty |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/adenan-pledges-to-keep-fighting-for-20-oil-royalty |access-date=19 November 2015 |newspaper=The Malaysian Insider |date=6 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812052453/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/adenan-pledges-to-keep-fighting-for-20-oil-royalty |archive-date=12 August 2015 |quote=Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem today admitted the oil and gas royalty negotiations – for a hike of 15% from 5% to 20% – with Petronas and Putrajaya have ended in deadlock, but has vowed to fight for it "as long as I'm alive".}} Most of the oil and gas deposits are located offshore next to Bintulu and Miri at Balingian basin, Baram basin, and around Luconia Shoals.{{cite magazine |last1=Rasoul |first1=Sorkhabi |title=Borneo's Petroleum Plays |date=2012 |volume=9 |issue=4 |url=http://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2012/12/borneo-s-petroleum-plays |access-date=20 November 2015 |magazine=GEO Ex Pro |quote=A simplified map showing the distribution of major sedimentary basins onshore and offshore Borneo. |archive-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121030834/http://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2012/12/borneo-s-petroleum-plays |url-status=dead}}

Sarawak is one of the world's largest exporters of tropical hardwood timber, constituting 65% of the total Malaysian log exports in 2000. The last United Nations statistics in 2001 estimated Sarawak's sawlog exports at an average of {{cvt|14,109,000|m3}} per year between 1996 and 2000.{{cite web |title=An overview of forest products statistics in South and Southeast Asia – National forest products statistics, Malaysia |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC778E/AC778E13.htm |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |access-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724070615/http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC778E/AC778E13.htm |archive-date=24 July 2015 |quote=In 2000, of the country's total sawlog production of 23 million m3, Peninsular Malaysia contributed 22 percent, Sabah 16 percent, and Sarawak 62 percent. Sawlog production figures for 1996–2000 are shown in Table 2.}}

In 1955, OCBC became the first foreign bank to operate in Sarawak, with other overseas banks following suit.{{cite news |last1=Sharon |first1=Kong |title=Foreign banks in Sarawak |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/01/foreign-banks-in-sarawak/ |access-date=21 November 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912015846/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/01/foreign-banks-in-sarawak/ |archive-date=12 September 2013}} Other notable Sarawak-based companies include Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, Naim Holdings, and Rimbunan Hijau.{{cite news |title=Sarawak shakers |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2010/3/27/business/5917875 |access-date=21 November 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=27 March 2010 |archive-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121035518/http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=%2F2010%2F3%2F27%2Fbusiness%2F5917875 |url-status=dead}}

File:Bakun Dam Power House.jpg inside the Bakun Dam power house. The dam is the main source for electric energy in Sarawak.]]

Electricity in Sarawak, supplied by the state-owned Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), is primarily sourced from traditional coal fired power plants and thermal power stations using LNG,{{cite web |title=Generation Portfolio |url=http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/about-us/what-we-do/generation-portfolio |publisher=Sarawak Energy |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124061528/http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/about-us/what-we-do/generation-portfolio |archive-date=24 November 2013}}{{cite web |title=Core Business Activities |url=http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/about-us/core-business-activities |publisher=Sarawak Energy |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710003252/http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/about-us/core-business-activities |archive-date=10 July 2015}} but diesel based sources and hydroelectricity are also utilised. There are 3 hydroelectric dams {{As of|2015|lc=y}} at Batang Ai,{{cite web |title=Hydroelectric Power Dams in Sarawak |url=http://www.siwrs.com.my/modules/iwrm/page.php?id=8 |publisher=Sarawak Integrated Water Resources – Management Master Plan |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123014245/http://www.siwrs.com.my/modules/iwrm/page.php?id=8 |archive-date=23 November 2015}} Bakun,{{cite news |last1=Jack |first1=Wong |title=Bakun at 50% capacity producing 900MW |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/07/22/Bakun-at-50-capacity-Sarawak-dam-producing-an-average-of-900MW-By-Jack-Wong-starbizthestarcommy/?style=biz |access-date=23 November 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=22 July 2014}} and Murum,{{cite news |last1=Christopher |first1=Lindom |title=Making HEPs in Sarawak safe |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/47149/Making-HEPs-in-Sarawak-safe/ |access-date=23 November 2015 |publisher=New Sarawak Tribune |date=11 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123014941/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/47149/Making-HEPs-in-Sarawak-safe/ |archive-date=23 November 2015 |quote=... Murum HEP had officially started commercial operation on 8 June 2015,"...}} with several others under construction. In early 2016, SEB signed Malaysia's first energy export deal to supply electricity to neighbouring West Kalimantan in Indonesia.{{cite news |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Malaysia-exports-electricity-to-Indonesia |title=Malaysia exports electricity to Indonesia |author=CK Tan |newspaper=Nikkei Asian Review |date=12 May 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515075142/http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Malaysia-exports-electricity-to-Indonesia |archive-date=15 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}

In 2008, SCORE was established as a framework to develop the energy sector in the state, specifically the Murum, Baram, and Baleh Dams as well as potential coal-based power plants,{{cite web |title=Development Strategy |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/development-strategy/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117185928/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/development-strategy/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}} and 10{{nbsp}}high priority industries out to 2030.{{cite web |title=What is SCORE? |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/what-is-score/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015931/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/what-is-score/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}}{{cite web |title=Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy – Register your interest |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/priority-sectors/register-your-interest/ |publisher=Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627141532/http://www.recoda.com.my/priority-sectors/register-your-interest/ |archive-date=27 June 2014}} The Regional Corridor Development Authority is the government agency responsible for managing SCORE.{{cite web |title=What is RECODA |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/about-recoda/what-is-recoda/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117185839/http://www.recoda.com.my/about-recoda/what-is-recoda/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}} The entire central region of Sarawak is covered under SCORE, including areas such as Samalaju (near Bintulu), Tanjung Manis, and Mukah.{{cite web |title=SCORE Areas |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/ |publisher=Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627141442/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/ |archive-date=27 June 2014}} Samalaju will be developed as an industrial park,{{cite web |title=Samalaju – SCORE |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/samalaju/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117183904/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/samalaju/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}} with Tanjung Manis as a halal food hub,{{cite web |title=Tanjung Manis – SCORE |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/tanjung-manis/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117085730/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/tanjung-manis/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}} and Mukah as the administrative centre for SCORE with a focus on resource-based research and development.{{cite web |title=Mukah – SCORE |url=http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/mukah/ |publisher=Regional Corridor Development Authority |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117162533/http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/score-areas/mukah/ |archive-date=17 November 2015}}

File:French Gypsy band performing during RWMF 2006.jpg Manouche band performing during Rainforest World Music Festival 2006]]

Tourism plays a major role in the economy of Sarawak and contributed 7.9% of the state's GDP in 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/03/16/rm60-million-boost-for-state-tourism/ |title=RM60 million boost for state tourism |newspaper=The Borneo Post |access-date=19 July 2018 |author=Chen Ai Shih |date=16 March 2017}}

Foreign visitors to Sarawak are predominantly from Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, and United Kingdom.{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/07/17/higher-visitor-arrivals-in-2017-over-rm8-billion-earned-minister/ |title=Higher visitor arrivals in 2017, over RM8 billion earned — Minister |newspaper=The Borneo Post |access-date=19 July 2018 |date=17 July 2018}} A number of different organisations, both state and private, are involved in the promotion of tourism in Sarawak: the Sarawak Tourism Board is the state body responsible for tourism promotion in the state, various private tourism groups are united under the Sarawak Tourism Federation, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau is responsible for attracting conventions, conferences, and corporate events which are held in the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching.{{cite web |title=Sarawak's tourism strategy focuses on sustainable development |date=23 April 2015 |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/sarawaks-tourism-strategy-focuses-sustainable-development |publisher=Oxford Business Group |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121001355/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/sarawaks-tourism-strategy-focuses-sustainable-development |archive-date=21 November 2015}} The public and private bodies in Sarawak hold a biannual event to award the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award, an award for achievements within various categories, to recognise businesses and individuals for their efforts in the development of tourism within the state.{{cite news |last1=Ava |first1=Lai |title=Valuable prizes await Hornbill winners |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/07/29/Valuable-prizes-await-Hornbill-winners/ |access-date=20 November 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=29 July 2015}}

The Rainforest World Music Festival is the region's primary musical event, attracting more than 50,000 people annually.{{cite news |title=Sarawak fest certain to be a rare treat |url=https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20110222/282338266363076 |date=22 February 2011 |newspaper=Bangkok Post |via=PressReader |url-access=subscription |access-date=20 November 2015}} Other events that are held regularly in Sarawak are the Anugerah Seri Angkasa (ASA), ASEAN International Film Festival, Borneo Music Festival Live, Borneo Jazz Festival, Borneo Cultural Festival, and Borneo International Kite Festival. Major shopping complexes in Sarawak include The Spring, Boulevard, VivaCity, Plaza Merdeka, City One, and AEON shopping malls in Kuching,{{cite web |title=Shopping Malls in Kuching |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/malls-in-kuching/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228001618/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/malls-in-kuching/ |archive-date=28 December 2015}} Bintang Megamall, Boulevard, Imperial Mall, and Miri Plaza shopping malls in Miri{{cite web |title=Shopping Malls in Miri |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/shopping-malls-in-miri/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204143926/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/shopping-malls-in-miri/ |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=28 December 2015 |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board}} and NAIM Bintulu Paragon Street Mall, The Spring, Boulevard Shopping Mall, Crown Pacific Mall, Commerce Square Mall, Times Square Megamall, and Parkcity Mall in Bintulu.

Infrastructure development in Sarawak is overseen by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, successor to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communications (MIDCom) after it was renamed in 2016.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.midt.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=41&menu_id=0&sub_id=12 |publisher=MIDCom |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220144117/http://www.midt.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=41&menu_id=0&sub_id=12 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}} Despite this ministerial oversight, infrastructure in Sarawak remains relatively underdeveloped compared to Peninsular Malaysia.{{cite book |title=OECD Investment Policy Reviews OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Malaysia 2013 |date=30 October 2013 |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Publishing |isbn=978-92-64-19458-8 |page=234 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9UPQAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA234 |access-date=17 December 2015 |quote=All the same, there are important variations in the quantity and quality of infrastructure stocks, with infrastructure more developed in peninsular Malaysia than in Sabah and Sarawak.}}

In 2009, 94% of urban Sarawak was supplied with electricity, but only 67% of rural areas had electricity.{{cite journal |last1=H. |first1=Borhanazad |last2=S. |first2=Mekhilef |last3=R |first3=Saidur |last4=G. |first4=Boroumandijazi |title=Potential application of renewable energy for rural electrification in Malaysia |journal=Renewable Energy |date=2013 |volume=59 |page=211 |url=http://umexpert.um.edu.my/file/publication/00005361_97156.pdf |access-date=23 November 2015 |doi=10.1016/j.renene.2013.03.039 |bibcode=2013REne...59..210B |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123025730/http://umexpert.um.edu.my/file/publication/00005361_97156.pdf |url-status=dead}} However, this had increased to 91% by 2014.{{cite news |last1=Alexandra |first1=Lorna |last2=Doreen |first2=Ling |title=Infrastructure crucial to state's goals |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/50465/Infrastructure-crucial-to-states-goals/ |access-date=16 December 2015 |publisher=New Sarawak Tribune |date=9 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216165506/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/50465/Infrastructure-crucial-to-states-goals/ |archive-date=16 December 2015 |quote="In 2014, 82% of houses located in Sarawak rural areas have access to water supply in comparison to 59% in 2009." Fadillah also said that the rural electricity coverage had improved over the last few years with 91% of the households in Sarawak having access to electricity in 2014 compared to 67% in 2009.}} According to a 2015 article, household internet penetration in Sarawak was lower than Malaysian national average, 41.2% versus 58.6%, with 58.5% of internet use being in urban areas and 29.9% in rural areas. In comparison, mobile telecommunication uptake in Sarawak was comparable to the national average, 93.3% against a national average of 94.2%, and on par with neighbouring Sabah.{{cite web |title=New technologies play a major role in Sarawak's development plans |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/new-technologies-play-major-role-sarawak%E2%80%99s-development-plans |publisher=Oxford Business Group |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217003141/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/new-technologies-play-major-role-sarawak%E2%80%99s-development-plans |archive-date=17 December 2015}} Mobile telecommunication infrastructure, specifically broadcast towers, are built and managed by Sacofa{{nbsp}}Sdn{{nbsp}}Bhd (Sacofa Private Limited), which enjoys a monopoly in Sarawak after the company was granted a 20-year exclusivity deal on the provision, maintenance and leasing of towers in the state.{{cite news |last1=Mohd |first1=Hafiz Mahpar |title=Cahya Mata Sarawak buys 50% of Sacofa for RM186m |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2015/04/02/cahya-mata-sarawak-buys-50pct-of-sacofa-for-rm186m/?style=biz |access-date=17 December 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=2 April 2015}}

A number of different bodies manage the supply of water depending on their region of responsibility, including the Kuching Water Board (KWB) which manages Kuching water supply, Sibu Water Board (SWB) which manages Sibu water supply, LAKU Management Sdn{{nbsp}}Bhd, which handle water supply in Miri, Bintulu, and Limbang{{cite web |title=Transport and Infrastructure |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/160/177/ |publisher=Official Website of the Sarawak Government |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907183756/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/160/177/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}} and the Rural Water Supply Department managing the water supply for the remaining areas.{{cite news |last1=Harun |first1=Jau |title=New department being set up |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/48159/New-department-being-set-up/ |access-date=17 December 2015 |publisher=New Sarawak Tribune |date=8 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217041741/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/48159/New-department-being-set-up/ |archive-date=17 December 2015}} {{As of|2014}}, 82% of the rural areas have a fresh water supply.

Sarawak launched its radio service on 7 June 1954, which became a part of Radio Malaysia when it joined Malaysia in 1963 and later part of the bigger Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) in 1969 when the nation's radio and television operations merged.{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204221130/http://www.rtmsarawak.gov.my/org_sejarah.php |url=http://www.rtmsarawak.gov.my/org_sejarah.php |title=RTM Sarawak |archivedate=4 December 2011 |website=rtmsarawak.gov.my}} It did not have television service until 30 August 1975, when RTM TV1 was made available for East Malaysian viewers.{{cite web |url=http://rtmsabah.gov.my/sejarah.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119072720/http://rtmsabah.gov.my/sejarah.htm |title=rtmkk |website=rtmsabah.gov.my |archivedate=19 January 2009}} RTM has six branches in the state - a main office in capital city Kuching and five other offices in Simanggang, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang. The main office produces news and shows for RTM's television channels and operates four state radio channels, namely Sarawak FM, Red FM and Wai FM Iban and Bidayuh networks, whereas five other offices operate district radio channels such as Sri Aman FM, Sibu FM, Bintulu FM, Miri FM and Limbang FM. On 7 April 1998, NTV7 was launched by Sarawakian businessman Mohd Effendi Norwawi under the ownership of Natseven TV Sdn Bhd. Before its acquisition by Media Prima Berhad in 2005, it had a studio in the state capital. However, Sarawak didn't have its own true TV station until 10 October 2020, when it launched TVS, thus becoming the first region in Malaysia to own its TV station. It is currently available in Astro, Astro NJOI and myFreeview (MYTV Broadcasting) and available in 4 languages: Malay, English, Iban and Chinese (Mandarin). Commercial radio channels based in the state include Cats FM and TEA FM, respectively launched on 8 August 1996 and 1 August 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.catsfm.my/about-us|title=About Us|work=Cats FM|access-date=27 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905220804/https://www.catsfm.my/about-us|archive-date=5 September 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/11/28/tea-fm-serves-up-fresh-local-flavours/1013383|title=Tea FM serves up fresh local flavours|last=Mering|first=Raynore|work=Malay Mail|date=28 November 2015|access-date=27 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127033334/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/11/28/tea-fm-serves-up-fresh-local-flavours/1013383|archive-date=27 January 2025|url-status=dead}}

File:KIA newterminal.jpg terminal]]

Much like many former British territories, Sarawak uses a dual carriageway with the left-hand traffic rule.{{cite book |last1=Thiessen |first1=Tamara |title=Borneo:Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak |date=2012 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-390-0 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DCDkRTYwN5AC&pg=PA98 |access-date=26 January 2016 |quote=All major roads are dual carriageways; there are no multi-lane expressways. In Malaysia, you drive on the left-hand side of the road and cars are right-hand drive.}} As of 2013, Sarawak had a total of {{cvt|32091|km}} of connected roadways, with {{cvt|18003|km}} being paved state routes, {{cvt|8313|km}} of dirt tracks, {{cvt|4352|km}} of gravel roads, and {{cvt|1424|km}} of paved federal highway. The primary route in Sarawak is the Pan Borneo Highway, which runs from Sematan, Sarawak, through Brunei to Tawau, Sabah. Despite being a major highway, the condition of the road is poor leading to numerous accidents and fatalities.{{cite news |title=Repair Pan Borneo Highway now, says Bintulu MP following latest fatal accident |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/09/13/Deadly-reminder-after-grim-toll-Repair-Pan-Borneo-Highway-now-says-Bintulu-MP-following-latest-fatal.aspx/ |date=13 September 2013 |last=Then |first=Stephen |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=23 June 2014 |archive-date=6 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206023625/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/09/13/deadly-reminder-after-grim-toll-repair-pan-borneo-highway-now-says-bintulu-mp-following-latest-fatal/ |url-status=dead}} 16 billion ringgit worth of contracts were awarded to a number of local companies in December 2016 to add new vehicle and pedestrian bridges, interchanges and bus shelters to the highway as part of a multi-phase project.{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Jack |title=RM16bil Pan Borneo Highway jobs awarded |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/12/19/rm16bil-pan-borneo-highway-jobs-awarded/ |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=28 March 2017 |date=19 December 2016}}

A railway line existed before World War II, but the last remnants of the line were dismantled in 1959.{{cite web |url=http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Sarawak/Sarawak.htm |title=Sarawak Government Railway |publisher=Asian Railways |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314045219/http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Sarawak/Sarawak.htm |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} A rail project was announced in 2008 to be in line with the transport needs of SCORE, but as yet no construction work has begun despite an anticipated completion date in 2015.{{cite web |title=Sarawak's rapid railway ready by 2015 |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/asia_news/2008/10/14/sarawaks_rapid_railway_ready_by_2015 |publisher=The Brunei Time |access-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314044228/http://www.bt.com.bn/asia_news/2008/10/14/sarawaks_rapid_railway_ready_by_2015 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 March 2016}} In 2017, the Sarawak government proposed a light rail system (Kuching Line) connecting Kuching, Samarahan and Serian divisions with anticipated completion in 2020.{{cite news |title=Sarawak's LRT to be ready in three years, says CM |url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/379628 |access-date=13 May 2017 |work=Malaysiakini |date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419083219/http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/379628 |archive-date=19 April 2017}} Currently, buses are the primary mode of public transportation in Sarawak with interstate services connecting the state to Sabah, Brunei, and Pontianak (Indonesia).

Sarawak is served by a number of airports with Kuching International Airport, located south west of Kuching, being the largest. Flights from Kuching are mainly to Kuala Lumpur but also to Johor Bahru, Penang, Sabah, Kelantan, Singapore and Pontianak, Indonesia. A second airport at Miri serves flights primarily to other Malaysian states as well as services to Singapore. Other smaller airports such as Sibu Airport, Bintulu Airport, Mukah Airport, Marudi Airport, Mulu Airport, and Limbang Airport provide domestic services within Malaysia. There are also a number of remote airstrips serving rural communities in the state. Three airlines serve flights in Sarawak, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, and MASwings all of which use Kuching Airport as their main hub.{{cite web |title=Airlines flying from Malaysia to Kuching |url=http://www.skyscanner.com.my/flights-to/kch/airlines-that-fly-to-kuching-airport.html |access-date=30 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330112044/http://www.skyscanner.com.my/flights-to/kch/airlines-that-fly-to-kuching-airport.html |archive-date=30 March 2016}} The state owned Hornbill Skyways is an aviation company that largely provides private chartered flights and flight services for public servants.{{cite web |title=Hornbill Skyways – Wings to your destination |url=http://www.hornbillskyways.com/history.php |publisher=Hornbill Skyways |access-date=30 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309152947/http://www.hornbillskyways.com/history.php |archive-date=9 March 2016}}

File:RTG at Bintulu International Container Terminal (BICT).jpg

Sarawak has four primary ports located at Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri. The busiest seaport at Bintulu is under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian federal government and mainly handles LNG products and regular cargo. The remaining ports are under the respective state port authorities. The combined throughput of the four primary ports was 61.04{{nbsp}}million freight weight tonnes (FWT) in 2013.{{cite web |title=New land, air and sea transport links will help meet higher demand in Sarawak |date=23 April 2015 |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/new-land-air-and-sea-transport-links-will-help-meet-higher-demand-sarawak |publisher=Oxford Business Group |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217044135/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/new-land-air-and-sea-transport-links-will-help-meet-higher-demand-sarawak |archive-date=17 December 2015}} Sarawak has 55 navigable river networks with a combined length of {{cvt|3300|km}}. For centuries, the rivers of Sarawak have been a primary means of transport as well as a route for timber and other agricultural goods moving downriver for export at the country's major ports. Sibu port, located {{cvt|113|km}} from the river's mouth, is the main hub along the Rajang River mainly handling timber products. However, the throughput of Sibu port has declined over the years after Tanjung Manis Industrial Port (TIMP) began operating further downriver.

{{see also|List of hospitals in Malaysia}}

File:27 August 2011 Sarawak General Hospital.jpg]]

Health care in provided by three major government hospitals, Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu Hospital, and Miri Hospital,{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=How Pim |title=Sarawak gets 3 more hospitals |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/18/sarawak-gets-3-more-hospitals/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822063031/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/18/sarawak-gets-3-more-hospitals/ |archive-date=22 August 2014}} as well as numerous district hospitals,{{cite news |title=Alternative pathways to overcome the lack of specialists in Sarawak |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/11/15/efforts-to-address-shortage-alternative-pathways-to-overcome-the-lack-of-specialists-in-sarawak/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=15 November 2014 |quote=Dr Jerip said there were currently 248 specialists distributed among the major hospitals in the state, comprising the Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Miri Hospital, as well as several divisional hospitals.}} public health clinics, 1Malaysia clinics, and rural clinics.{{cite web |title=Sarawak makes efforts to boost access to health care |date=23 April 2015 |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/sarawak-makes-efforts-boost-access-health-care |publisher=Oxford Business Group |access-date=19 December 2015 |quote=Sarawak's 221 public health clinics include only seven rural clinics. Services for the poor are also provided at 1Malaysia clinics, where assistant medical officers provide basic health care, but again, these clinics – of which the state has 18 – have historically been located mainly in urban areas.}} Sarawak Heart Centre was set up in 2011 in Kota Samarahan to provide cardiology services to patients.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.sarawakheart.org/about-us |publisher=Sarawak Heart Centre |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616111553/https://www.sarawakheart.org/about-us |archive-date=16 June 2021}} Besides government-owned hospitals and clinics, there are several private hospitals in Sarawak{{cite news |last1=Nigel |first1=Edgar |title=Wednesday, 4 December 2013 Sarawak recognises importance of private hospitals such as Borneo Medical Centre |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/12/04/giving-healthcare-a-huge-boost-state-recognises-importance-of-private-hospitals-such-as-borneo-medic/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=4 December 2013}} such as the Normah Medical Specialists Centre, Timberland Medical Specialists Centre,{{cite web |title=Quality of Life |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/209/225/ |publisher=The Sarawak Government |access-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909202618/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/209/225/ |archive-date=9 September 2015}} and Sibu Specialist Medical Centre. Hospitals in Sarawak typically provide the full gamut of health care options, from triage to palliative care for the terminally ill. In 1994, Sarawak General Hospital Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology & Palliative Care instituted an at-home care, or hospice care, program for cancer patients. The non profit Sarawak Hospice Society was established in 1998 to promote this program.{{cite web |title=Sarawak Hospice Society |url=http://www.sarawakhospicesociety.org/index.php?page=sarawak-hospice-society |publisher=Sarawak Hospice Society |access-date=19 December 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126135600/http://www.sarawakhospicesociety.org/index.php?page=sarawak-hospice-society |archive-date=26 January 2015}}

In comparison to the number of other medical facilities, mental health is only serviced by a single facility, Hospital Sentosa.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=K Saai |title=People still dump mental patients at Hospital Sentosa |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/10/28/%E2%80%98people-still-dump-mental-patients-at-hospital-sentosa%E2%80%99/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=28 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219073010/http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/10/28/%E2%80%98people-still-dump-mental-patients-at-hospital-sentosa%E2%80%99/ |archive-date=19 December 2015}} This abundance of medical services has made Sarawak a medical tourism destination for visitors from neighbouring Brunei and Indonesia.{{cite news |title=Sarawak wants more participation in private healthcare sector |url=http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/08/01/sarawak-wants-more-participation-in-private-healthcare-sector/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Rakyat Post |date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222131807/http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/08/01/sarawak-wants-more-participation-in-private-healthcare-sector/ |url-status=dead}}

In comparison to the prevalence of health services in urban regions, much of rural Sarawak is only accessible by river transport, which limits access.{{cite news |last1=Chin |first1=Mui Yoon |title=Access to healthcare a challenge for Sarawak's interior folk |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/features/2012/02/27/access-to-healthcare-a-challenge-for-sarawaks-interior-folk/ |access-date=19 December 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=27 February 2012}} Remote rural areas that are beyond the operating areas of health clinics, about {{cvt|12|km}},{{cite journal |last1=Ariff |first1=K.M |last2=Teng |first2=CL |title=Rural health care in Malaysia |journal=Australian Journal of Rural Health |date=2002 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=99–103 |pmid=12047504 |quote=The FDS in Sarawak was launched in 1973 to provide healthcare to communities residing outside the 'extended operational area' limits of the health centre (beyond 12 km). |doi=10.1046/j.1440-1584.2002.00456.x}} and inaccessible by land or river are serviced by a monthly flying doctor service, which was established in 1973.{{cite journal |last1=Koshy |first1=Rachel |title=Flying doctor service in East Malaysia: Rachel Koshy |journal=European Journal of Public Health |date=1 October 2013 |volume=23 |issue=1 |page=223 |doi=10.1093/eurpub/ckt123.184 |doi-access=free}}

A village health promoter program, where volunteers are provided with basic medical training, was established in 1981 but difficulty in providing medical supplies to remote villages, as well as a lack of incentive, resulted in a decline of the program.{{cite book |last1=Leng Chee |first1=Heng |last2=Barraclough |first2=Simon |title=Health Care in Malaysia: The Dynamics of Provision, Financing and Access |date=6 March 2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-11295-1 |page=195 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hANe_y3bPmkC&pg=PA196 |access-date=30 March 2016}} A variety of traditional medicine practices are still being used by the various communities in Sarawak to supplement modern medical practices but this practice is also declining.{{cite book |last1=Leng Chee |first1=Heng |last2=Barraclough |first2=Simon |title=Health Care in Malaysia: The Dynamics of Provision, Financing and Access |date=6 March 2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-11295-1 |page=196 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hANe_y3bPmkC&pg=PA196 |access-date=30 March 2016 |quote=While there were systems of traditional medicine and a traditional pharmacopoenia among the indigenous communities in Sarawak, they have largely fallen into disuse ...}}
{{*}} {{cite web |last1=Bawin Anggat |first1=Nicholas |title=Traditional Medicines of Borneo at Risk |url=http://health.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/00A35B41-CD50-4B4C-B2E7-906C090C31B7/26990/TraditionalMedicinesofBorneo1.pdf |access-date=30 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330133431/http://health.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/00A35B41-CD50-4B4C-B2E7-906C090C31B7/26990/TraditionalMedicinesofBorneo1.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2016}}
{{*}} {{cite news |title=Chinese traditional medicine |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/08/chinese-traditional-medicine/ |access-date=30 March 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114061013/http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/08/chinese-traditional-medicine |archive-date=14 November 2012}} However, since 2004, there has been a resurgence in traditional medicine in Malaysia resulting in the establishment of a traditional medicine division within the Ministry of Health. A 2006 government program to have integrated hospitals led to numerous universities starting programs to teach traditional medicine and major hospitals, including Sarawak General Hospital, providing traditional therapies.

{{cite journal |last1=Abuduli |first1=Maihebureti |last2=Ezat |first2=Sharifa |last3=Aljunid |first3=Syed |title=Role of traditional and complementary medicine in universal coverage |journal=Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine |date=2011 |volume=11 |issue=2 |page=1 |url=http://www.mjphm.org.my/mjphm/journals/Volume%2011:2/GUEST%20EDITORIAL.pdf |access-date=30 March 2016 |quote=There are nine integrated public hospitals which are practicing T&CM in Malaysia. ... Sarawak General Hospital ... These hospitals practice traditional Malay massage, acupuncture, herbal oncology and postnatal massage.}}

{{main|List of schools in Sarawak|List of universities in Malaysia}}

File:Chancellory Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.JPG (UNIMAS) chancellory building]]

Education in Malaysia falls under the remit of two federal ministries; the Malaysian Ministry of Education is responsible for primary and secondary education, while the Ministry of Higher Education has oversight over public universities, polytechnic and community colleges.{{cite web |title=Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia - Institutions |url=http://www.mohe.gov.my/en/institutions-2 |publisher=Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia |access-date=6 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406201355/http://www.mohe.gov.my/en/institutions-2 |archive-date=6 April 2017 |url-status=dead}} Early childhood education is not directly controlled by the Ministry of Education as it does with primary and secondary education. However, the ministry does oversee the licensing of private kindergartens, the main form of early childhood education, in accordance with the National Pre-School Quality Standard, which was launched in 2013.{{cite web |last1=Ooi |first1=May Sim |title=Pre-school education crucial |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2016/02/21/preschool-education-crucial/ |website=The Star Online |publisher=Star Media Group Berhad |access-date=3 April 2017 |date=21 February 2016}}

Around the time of Federation, overall literacy in Sarawak was quite low. In 1960, the overall literacy rate was 25%, with a heavy slant in the literacy rate towards the Chinese population, 53%, compared with that of indigenous peoples which was substantially lower, only 17%.{{cite book |last1=Silcock |first1=T.H |title=The Political Economy of Independent Malaya:A case-study in development |date=1963 |publisher=University of California Press |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Sp8Ix7_8IsC&pg=PA46 |access-date=21 December 2015}} By 2007, overall literacy in adults aged 15 and over had significantly increased to 92.3% and in 2012, this had climbed to 96%.{{cite web |last1=Yussop |first1=Yunus |title=Greater rural wealth with higher literacy rate |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/05/14/greater-rural-wealth-with-higher-literacy-rate/ |website=Borneo Post Online |publisher=BorneoPost |access-date=3 April 2017 |date=14 May 2012}}

There were 1480 schools in Sarawak in 2014, of which 1271 were primary, 202 were secondary and 7 were vocational/technical secondary schools.{{cite web |last1=State Planning Unit |first1=Chief Ministers Department |title=Sarawak Facts & Figures 2015 |url=http://www.jkm.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=publication&sub=publication_show&id=3 |access-date=3 April 2017 |ref=SPU2015 |page=40 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821170029/http://www.jkm.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=publication&sub=publication_show&id=3 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=dead}} Among these are a number of schools that date from the Brooke era, including St. Thomas's School Kuching (1848), St Mary's School Kuching (1848), and St Joseph's School Kuching (1882).{{cite news |last1=Edgar |first1=Ong |title=Can you blame Sarawak and Sabah for feeling left out? |url=http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/Can-you-blame-Sarawak-and-Sabah-for-feeling-left-out |access-date=21 December 2015 |publisher=The Ant Daily |date=10 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615085243/http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/Can-you-blame-Sarawak-and-Sabah-for-feeling-left-out |archive-date=15 June 2015 |quote=The eight schools missing from the incomplete list are St. Thomas's School Kuching (1848), St Mary's School Kuching (1848), St Joseph's School Kuching (1882), St Teresa's School Kuching (1885), St Michael's School Sandakan (1886), St Michael's School Penampang (1888), All Saints' School, Likas (1903) and St Patrick's School Tawau (1917).}} As well as government schools, there are four international schools: Tunku Putra School, a primary and secondary school offering national and Cambridge curricula, Lodge International School, which is also open to local students and uses both the British National and Cambridge systems, Kidurong International School, which is owned by Shell and offers primary education mainly to children of employees but local children may enter depending on space availability, and Tenby International School, which opened in 2014 and is open to both local and expatriate children.{{cite web |title=Sarawak's public and private sectors work together to revamp education |date=23 April 2015 |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/sarawaks-public-and-private-sectors-work-together-revamp-education |publisher=Oxford Business Group |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221141840/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/sarawaks-public-and-private-sectors-work-together-revamp-education |archive-date=21 December 2015}} There are also 14 Chinese independent secondary schools in Sarawak that teach in Chinese rather than English or Malay.{{cite web |title=砂拉越华文独中通讯录 (Communication directory of Sarawak Chinese independent schools) |url=http://shadongzong.org/secondary-schools/ |access-date=1 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231125149/http://shadongzong.org/secondary-schools/ |archive-date=31 December 2013 |language=zh}} Previously, only Chinese students were enrolled in these schools, but mobility of the workforce has led to increasing turnover of students as parents move to other areas for employment.{{cite web |title=Of Chinese schools and their student population |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/06/24/of-chinese-schools-and-their-student-population/ |website=Borneo Post Online |access-date=3 April 2017 |date=24 June 2016}}{{cite news |last1=How Pim |first1=Lim |title=Bumiputera children in Chinese schools no longer unusual |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/11/11/bumiputera-children-in-chinese-schools-no-longer-unusual/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611051948/https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/11/11/bumiputera-children-in-chinese-schools-no-longer-unusual/ |archive-date=11 June 2021}} This has led to an increasing number of Bumiputera students being enrolled in Chinese primary and preschools.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/node/135077 |title=55,975 bumiputera pupils in Chinese schools |work=Bernama |publisher=The Sun |date=17 December 2010 |access-date=26 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626080230/http://www.thesundaily.my/node/135077 |archive-date=26 June 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Sarawak is home to three public universities – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi Mara at Kota Samarahan, and Universiti Putra Malaysia – as well as the private Curtin University, Malaysia and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. The latter two are satellite campuses of Curtin University in Perth and Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.{{cite web |title=Education |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/197/215/ |publisher=Official Website of the Sarawak Government |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907185329/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/197/215/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}}

With the establishment of SCORE and the associated potential of 1.6 million more jobs by 2030, the state government allocated RM1 billion from 2016 to 2020 to a Skills Development Fund for vocational education.{{cite web |last1=Yes |first1=Sarawak |title=The growth of Technical Vocational Education and Training in Sarawak |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/the-growth-of-technical-vocational-education-and-training-in-sarawak/ |website=The Borneo Post online |access-date=5 April 2017 |date=23 May 2015 |quote=Under the 11th Malaysia Plan from 2016 to 2020, the government has allocated RM1 billion for a Skills Development Fund to enable more students to receive skills and vocational education.}} In 2015, Petronas provided vocational scholarships to 150 underprivileged Sarawak students as part of its Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Assistance program,{{cite web |title=150 Petronas scholarships for MRSM students |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/08/150-petronas-scholarships-for-mrsm-students/ |website=The Borneo Post online |access-date=5 April 2017 |date=8 March 2015}} although it had been criticised for under-representing local students in its previous allocations;{{cite web |title=Petronas under scholarship fire |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2015/06/25/petronas-under-scholarship-fire-supp-chief-national-oil-company-not-giving-sarawakians-enough/ |website=The Star Online |access-date=5 April 2017 |date=25 June 2015}} the company also provided support to other Sarawak vocational education centres.{{cite web |last1=Newsdesk |title=Petronas continues to support SCaT fair |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/54873/Petronas-continues-to-support-SCaT-Fair/ |website=New Sarawak Tribune |access-date=5 April 2017 |date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110327/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/54873/Petronas-continues-to-support-SCaT-Fair/ |archive-date=6 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Demographics of Sarawak}}

{{bar box

|width=250px

|barwidth=100px

|title=Ethnic groups in Sarawak (2021)

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=Ethnic

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Bumiputera|blue|72.1}}

{{bar percent|Chinese|red|22.6}}

{{bar percent|Indian|pink|0.2}}

{{bar percent|Others|green|0.3}}

{{bar percent|Non-citizens|DarkGray|4.8}}

}}

{{Pie chart

| caption= Sub-ethnic groups of Dayak in Sarawak (2021)

| label1 = Iban

| value1 = 70.5

| color1 = blue

| label2 = Bidayuh

| value2 = 19.2

| color2 = green

| label3 = Orang Ulu

| value3 = 10.3

| color3 = yellow

}}

The 2020 census of Malaysia reported a population of 2,453,677 in Sarawak, making it the fifth most populous state.{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Sarawak Population by Ethnic Group |url=https://data.sarawak.gov.my/home/data/dataset/c642e02c-5832-4678-99c6-e438149503c0 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 August 2018 |publisher=State Planning Unit, Sarawak |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813175719/https://data.sarawak.gov.my/home/data/dataset/c642e02c-5832-4678-99c6-e438149503c0}} However, this population is distributed over a large area resulting in Sarawak having the lowest population density in the country with only 20{{nbsp}}people per km². The average population growth rate of 1.8%, from 2000 to 2010, is very close to the national average of 2.0%. In 2014, 58% of the population resided in urban areas with the remainder in rural areas, but over the next 10 years it is predicted that the urban population would rise to 65%.{{cite news |title=Johari: Urban-rural ratio to hit 65:35 within 10 years |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/01/17/Johari-Urbanrural-ratio-to-hit-6535-within-10-years/ |access-date=24 November 2015 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=17 January 2014}} {{As of|2011}}, the crude birth rate in Sarawak was 16.3 per 1000 individuals, the crude death rate was 4.3 per 1000 population, and the infant mortality rate was 6.5 per 1000 live births.{{cite web |title=Vital Statistics Summary for Births and Deaths |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/241/251/ |publisher=Sarawak Government |access-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907173809/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/241/251/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}}

Urban populations consist predominantly of Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, and a small population of urban Ibans and Bidayuhs who migrated from their home villages seeking employment.{{cite web |title=The Sarawak People |url=http://www.stf.org.my/sarawak/index.php?do=people |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Federation |access-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106051053/http://www.stf.org.my/sarawak/index.php?do=people |archive-date=6 January 2015}} The latter two are among the more than 40 sub-ethnic groups of Sarawak, many of whom still inhabit remote areas and are referred to as Orang Asal.{{cite web |title=Indigenous peoples – (a) Land rights of Indigenous Peoples |url=http://www.suhakam.org.my/indigenous-people/ |publisher=Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) |access-date=30 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002003359/http://www.suhakam.org.my/indigenous-people/ |archive-date=2 October 2015}} The Orang Asal, and Malays, of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah are referred to collectively as Bumiputera (son of the soil). This classification grants them special privileges in education, jobs, finance, and political positions.{{cite journal |last1=Ting |first1=Su Hie |last2=Rose |first2=Louis |title=Ethnic Language Use and Ethnic Identity for Sarawak Indigenous Groups in Malaysia |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-377286780/ethnic-language-use-and-ethnic-identity-for-sarawak |date=June 2014 |journal=Oceanic Linguistics |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=92–109 |doi=10.1353/ol.2014.0002 |s2cid=144213737 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 November 2015 |quote=In Malaysia, Bumiputera (literally translated as 'prince of the earth' or 'son of the land') refers to the Malay and other indigenous people. ... The Bumiputera in general enjoy special privileges as part of the affirmative action for advancement of the community, and these include priority in university entry, scholarships, and government jobs, special finance schemes, and political positions. |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208144714/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-377286780/ethnic-language-use-and-ethnic-identity-for-sarawak |url-status=dead }}

The registration for, and issuing of, national identity cards, a legally required document for accessing various services, to these remote tribes has been problematic for many years,{{cite news |last1=Sheith Khidir |first1=Abu Bakar |title=Stateless Penans demand citizenship papers |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/03/29/stateless-penans-demand-citizenship-papers/ |access-date=30 October 2016 |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=29 March 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821125812/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/03/29/stateless-penans-demand-citizenship-papers/ |url-status=dead}} and in the past had even resulted in a large number of people from the Penan ethnic group being rendered effectively stateless.{{cite news |title=Penans 'stateless' because of fines |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2005/09/26/penans-stateless-because-of-fines/ |access-date=30 October 2016 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=26 September 2005}} In recent years, this issue has seen progressive improvement with the implementation of systems such as mobile registration units.{{cite news |title=Mobile unit makes NRD applications easy for Penan community |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/04/07/mobile-unit-makes-nrd-applications-easy-for-penan-community/ |access-date=30 October 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=7 April 2016}}

Sarawak has a large immigrant work force with as many as 150,000 registered foreign migrant workers working as domestic workers or in plantation, manufacturing, construction, services and agriculture.{{cite news |title=Over 150,000 foreign workers in Sarawak hold temporary employment passes |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1593885 |access-date=18 December 2015 |newspaper=The Sun Daily |date=26 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027171855/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1593885 |archive-date=27 October 2015}} However, this population of legally registered workers is overshadowed by a large population of between 320,000 and 350,000 illegal workers.{{cite news |last1=Sulok |first1=Tawie |title=Illegal immigrants in Sarawak a 'huge problem', deputy home minister admits |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/illegal-immigrants-in-sarawak-a-huge-problem-deputy-home-minister-admits |access-date=18 December 2015 |newspaper=Malay Mail Online |date=11 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025155243/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/illegal-immigrants-in-sarawak-a-huge-problem-deputy-home-minister-admits |archive-date=25 October 2015}}

{{image array|perrow = 2 |width=200| height=200 | border-width=2

| image1 = An Iban Warrior, Sarawak, Malaysia.jpg | caption1 =an Iban warrior in his traditional dress

| image2 = Melanau girls with Baju Kurung.jpg | caption2 = Melanau girls with the traditional Baju Kurung

| image3 = Sarawak Bidayuh girl.jpg | caption3 = a Bidayuh girl

| image4 = Sarawak Chinese woman wearing Cheongsam.jpg | caption4 = Sarawakian Chinese woman in her traditional dress of Cheongsam

}}

Sarawak has six major ethnic groups, Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Melanau, and Orang Ulu, as well as a number of ethnic groups with smaller but still substantial populations, such as the Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis, Murut, and Indian.{{cite news |last1=Leong |first1=Joe |title=Bizarre names like Tigabelas, Helicopter, Kissing in Borneo are real |url=http://www.theantdaily.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=14911 |access-date=24 November 2015 |publisher=The Ant Daily |date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124022706/http://www.theantdaily.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=14911 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |quote=There are several other minor ethnic groups placed under the 'others', such as Indian, Eurasian, Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis and Murut.}} In 2015, the Bidayuh and Iban, both indigenous ethnic groups of Sarawak, were officially recognised by the government of Malaysia as comprising the Dayak people.{{cite news |title=Putrajaya approves 'Dayak' for 'Race' category in all official forms |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-approves-dayak-for-race-category-in-all-official-forms |access-date=24 November 2015 |newspaper=The Malaysian Insider |date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124080101/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-approves-dayak-for-race-category-in-all-official-forms |archive-date=24 November 2015}} There are more than 50 tribes still existing or extinct in Sarawak but only the major tribes are listed in the Malaysian Federal Constitution.{{Cite web |url=https://dayakwithgoldenhair.wordpress.com/ethnic-groups-of-sarawak/?unapproved=1899&moderation-hash=3f01f89c2d2d7a2f9cafb6ca681aeddb#comment-1899 |title=Ethnic Groups of Sarawak |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101123501/https://dayakwithgoldenhair.wordpress.com/ethnic-groups-of-sarawak/?unapproved=1899&moderation-hash=3f01f89c2d2d7a2f9cafb6ca681aeddb#comment-1899 |url-status=dead }}

The population of 1,389,926 of the Iban people in Sarawak, based on 2022 statistics, makes it the largest ethnic group in the state. The Iban were, in the past, a society that paid particular attention to social status, especially to those who displayed martial prowess as well as to those who demonstrated expertise in various fields such as farming and oratory. Specific terms were used to refer to those who belonged to particular social strata, such as the raja berani (rich and the brave), orang mayuh (ordinary people), and ulun (slaves).{{cite book |last1=Keat |first1=Gin Ooi |title=Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Volume 1 |date=2004 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-770-2 |pages=623–625 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKgraWbb7yoC&pg=PA623 |access-date=25 November 2015 |quote=Ibans are found in all political divisions of Borneo but in largest numbers in Sarawak. ... Christian missionaries have been active among the Ibans for more than a century, and today majority of Ibans are Christians.}} Despite modern influences, Iban still observe many of their traditional rituals such as Gawai Antu (festival of the dead) and Gawai Dayak (Harvest Festival).{{cite web |title=Our People – Iban – The official travel website for Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo |date=6 August 2012 |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-iban/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125091022/http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-iban/ |archive-date=25 November 2015}}

Although the presence of Chinese in Sarawak dates back to the 6th century AD when traders first came to the state, the Chinese population today largely consists of communities originating from immigrants during the Brooke era. This migration was driven by the employment opportunities at gold mines in Bau.

Sarawak Chinese are primarily Buddhist and Christian,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCrEN6gUkHEC&pg=PA177 |title=Borneo Trilogy Sarawak: Volume 1 |date=2011 |publisher=Booksmango |isbn=978-616-245-082-2 |location=Bangkok, Thailand |page=177 |last1=Frans |first1=Welman |access-date=2 November 2015}} and speak a multitude of southern Chinese languages: Cantonese, Fuzhou, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew, and Henghua (Putian people), in addition to Mandarin. They celebrate major cultural festivals such as Hungry Ghost Festival and the Chinese New Year much as their ancestors did.{{cite web |title=Ethnic groups |url=http://www.stf.org.my/sarawak/index.php?do=people |website=Sarawak Tourism Federation |access-date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021023017/http://www.stf.org.my/sarawak/index.php?do=people |archive-date=21 October 2015 |url-status=dead}} Chinese settlers in Sarawak were not limited to any one area. Those who settled in Kuching did so near the Sarawak River in an area that is now referred to as Chinatown.{{cite web |title=Our people – Chinese |url=https://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-chinese/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130113426/http://sarawaktourism.com/our-people-chinese/ |archive-date=30 January 2016 |url-status=dead}} Fuzhounese immigrants from Fuzhou, Fujian, led by Wong Nai Siong in 1901, settled along the Rajang River in what is now Sibu, as due to Boxer Rebellion,{{cite web |last1=John |first1=Barwick |title=Huang Naishang (1844–1924) |url=http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/h/huang-naishang.php |publisher=Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518052143/http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/h/huang-naishang.php |archive-date=18 May 2013 |quote=Shortly thereafter, Huang decided to start a new settlement of Chinese in Malaysia in order to escape China's despotism and Fujian's poverty. ... In 1901, Huang traveled with settlers from Fujian to Sibu, where he founded New Fuzhou.}} while those who arrived in Miri sought work in the coal mines and oilfields.

During the Brooke era, Sarawak Malays were predominantly fishermen, leading to their villages being concentrated along river banks. However, with the advent of urban development, many Malays have migrated to seek employment in public and private sectors. Traditionally, they are known for their silver and brass crafts, wood carvings, and textiles.{{cite web |title=Our people – Malay – The official website for Sarawak Malaysian Borneo |date=18 August 2012 |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-malay/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=30 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130135035/http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-malay/ |archive-date=30 November 2015}}

The Melanau are a native people of Sarawak that lived in areas primarily around the modern city of Mukah, where they worked as fishermen and craftsmen as well renowned boatbuilders. Historically the Melanau practised Animism, a belief that spirits inhabited objects in their environment, and while this is still practised today, most Melanau have since been converted to Christianity and Islam.{{cite book |last1=Ishikawa |first1=Noboru |title=Between Frontiers: Nation and Identity in a Southeast Asian Borderland |date=15 March 2010 |publisher=Ohio University Press |isbn=978-0-89680-476-0 |pages=86–87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YH3lULL6-MC&pg=PA87 |access-date=9 November 2015}}Ishikawa, 2010 (page 169){{cite web |title=Miri Visitors' Guide – Miri's inhabitants |url=http://www.gomiri.com/en/01miri/people.htm |website=gomiri.com |access-date=8 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520130302/http://www.gomiri.com/en/01miri/people.htm |archive-date=20 May 2015}}

The Bidayuh are a southern Sarawak people,{{cite web |title=Our people – Bidayuh |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-bidayuh/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207223218/http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-bidayuh/ |archive-date=7 December 2015}} that were referred to by early European settlers as Land Dayaks because they traditionally live on steep limestone mountains.{{cite web |title=Bidayuh longhouse |url=http://www.scv.com.my/bidayuh.asp |publisher=Sarawak Cultural Village |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731165223/http://www.scv.com.my/bidayuh.asp |archive-date=31 July 2012}} They account for 7.3 per cent of the population of Sarawak and are the second most numerous of the indigenous Dayak people, after the Iban. The Bidayuh are indigenous to the areas that comprise the modern day divisions of Kuching and Serian. Their language comprises five major dialects: Biatah (Padawan, Penrissen and Kuching areas), Bau, formerly known as Jagoi or Bau-Jagoi (Bau district), Serian, formerly called Bukar-Sadong (Serian

district), and Salako and Rara (Lundu district). All these dialects are not mutually intelligible

due to insufficient lexicostatistical overlap between them for developing one standard

Bidayuh with a unified orthography.{{cite journal|url=https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijssr/article/download/13769/7114/|title=ATTITUDES TOWARDS BIDAYUH LANGUAGE KINDERGARTENS IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA|last1=Kayad|first1=Florence G.|last2=Ting|first2=Su-Hie|year=2021|journal=International Journal of Social Science Research |via=Malaysian Journal Management System|volume=3|eissn=2710-6276|pages=14–26|access-date=11 February 2025}} Since there is no common standardised Bidayuh language, the sociolinguistic norms of the younger generation of Bidayuhs today are influenced by Malaysian language, with both English and Sarawak Malay also being the lingua franca.{{cite journal|url=https://borneojournal.um.edu.my/index.php/BRJ/article/view/9830/6942|title=LANGUAGE CHOICES OF DAYAK BIDAYUH UNDERGRADUATES IN THE FRIENDSHIP DOMAIN|last=Dealwis|first=Caesar|year=2010|journal=Borneo Research Journal|volume=4 |pages=209–220|access-date=11 February 2025}} Like many other indigenous peoples, the majority of the Bidayuh have been converted to Christianity,

but still live in villages consisting of longhouses, with the addition of the distinctive round baruk where communal gatherings were held.

The numerous tribes who reside in Sarawak's interior such as the Kenyah, Kayan, Lun Bawang, Kelabit, Penan, Bisaya, and Berawan are collectively referred to as Orang Ulu. In the Iban language, this name means "Upriver People", reflecting the location these tribes settled in; most of them reside near the drainage basin of the Baram River.{{cite web |last1=Erivina |title=Our people – Orang Ulu |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-orang-ulu/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=10 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207232121/http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/our-people-orang-ulu/ |archive-date=7 February 2015}} Both woodworking and artistry are highly visible aspects of Orang Ulu culture exemplified by mural covered longhouses, carved wooden boats, and tattooing. Well-known musical instruments from the Orang Ulu are the Kayans' sapeh and Kenyah's sampe' and Lun Bawang's bamboo band. The Kelabit and Lun Bawang people are known for their production of fragrant rice.{{cite journal |doi=10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2883115 |last1=Sang |first1=Anisia Jati |last2=Tay |first2=Kai Meng |last3=Lim |first3=Chee Peng |last4=Saeid |first4=Nahavandi |year=2018 |title=Application of a Genetic-Fuzzy FMEA to Rainfed Lowland Rice Production in Sarawak: Environmental, Health, and Safety Perspectives |journal=IEEE Access |volume=6 |pages=74628–74647 |bibcode=2018IEEEA...674628S |s2cid=56597899 |url=http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/25591/1/Application%20of%20a%20Genetic-Fuzzy%20FMEA%20%28abstract%29.pdf |doi-access=free}} As with the many other indigenous peoples of Sarawak, the majority of Orang Ulu are Christians.

The Indians, predominantly the Tamils were brought by the British Government to work in estates as labourers and clerks.{{cite book|last1=Sandhu|first1=K. S.|last2=Mani|first2=A.|title=Indian Communities in Southeast Asia (First Reprint 2006)|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|date=2006|isbn=978-981-230-418-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeExjdWUmJYC&q=indians%2520tamil%2520sarawak%2520british&pg=PA568|access-date=6 May 2025|pages=568–573}} Besides, the Malayalee community too exist in the cities in Sarawak.{{cite book|last=Museum|first=Sarawak|title=The Sarawak Museum Journal|publisher=Sarawak Museum|date=1989|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kI7lAAAAMAAJ&q=malayalee+sarawak|access-date=6 May 2025|page=259}} Today, many among the Indians are known to be employed as professionals (mainly doctors) in Sarawak.{{cite journal|url=https://www.e-mjm.org/1983/v38n4/medical-manpower.pdf|title=MEDICAL MANPOWER IN SARAWAK - THE DOCTORS|last=Supramaniam|first=V.|journal=Medical Journal of Malaysia|volume=38|issue=4|year=1983|access-date=7 May 2025|page=300|pmid=6599986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506211136/https://www.e-mjm.org/1983/v38n4/medical-manpower.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2025|url-status=live}}

[[File:Sarawak Families Languages.png|thumb|right|The distribution of language families of Sarawak shown by colours:
(click image to enlarge)

{{legend|#FF006E|Malayic}}

{{legend|#FF984F|North Borneo and Melanau Kajang languages}}

{{legend|#00FF90|Land Dayak}}

{{legend|#A0A0A0|Areas with multiple languages}}]]

English was the official language of Sarawak from 1963 to 1974 due to opposition from First Chief Minister of Sarawak Stephen Kalong Ningkan to the use of the Malaysian language in Sarawak.{{cite book |last1=John |first1=Postill |title=Media and Nation Building: How the Iban became Malaysian |date=15 May 2006 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-0-85745-687-8 |page=58 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5_gtJQFin4C&pg=PA59 |access-date=13 November 2015 |quote=because of his strong defence of English as the language of instruction in Sarawak ... (page 58)}} In 1974, the new Chief Minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub recognised Malay alongside English as an official language of Sarawak.Faisal, 2012 ... to make Bahasa Malaysia and English as negeri{{'s}} official languages. (page 84) This new status given to the Malay language was further reinforced by new education standards transitioning curriculum to Malay.{{cite news |title=Former Education Minister Calls For Return To Teaching Maths, Science In BM |url=http://education.bernama.com/index.php?sid=news_content&id=371208 |access-date=13 November 2015 |publisher=Bernama |date=12 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711152042/http://education.bernama.com/index.php?sid=news_content&id=371208 |archive-date=11 July 2011}} In 1985 English lost the status of an official language, leaving only Malay.Postill, 2006 ... Malay was accepted as the official language of Sarawak alongside English until 1985, when English was finally dropped. (page 64) Despite official policy, Sarawak opposition members argue that English remained the de facto official language of Sarawak.{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Joe |title=DAP: English remains Sarawak's official language |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/11/26/dap-english-remains-sarawaks-official-language/ |access-date=20 December 2016 |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=26 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112235855/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/11/26/dap-english-remains-sarawaks-official-language |archive-date=12 January 2016 |url-status=dead}} English is still spoken in the legal courts, and state legislative assembly.{{cite news |last1=Sulok |first1=Tawie |title=Usage of English, native languages officially still legal in Sarawak |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/299416 |access-date=13 November 2015 |newspaper=The Sun Daily |date=20 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113112711/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/299416 |archive-date=13 November 2015}}{{cite web |title=My Constitution – Sabah and Sarawak |url=http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=2849 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120214041818/http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=2849 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2012 |publisher=Malaysian Bar |access-date=13 November 2015 |quote=English was the official language of the State Legislative Assemblies and Courts in Sabah and Sarawak on Malaysia Day, 16 September 1963. Any change of the official language to Bahasa Melayu can only become effective when the State Legislative Assembly of Sabah or Sarawak agrees to adopt federal laws that make Bahasa Melayu the official language.}} In 2015, Chief Minister Adenan Satem reinstated English as an official language.{{cite news |last1=Ogilvy |first1=Geryl |title=Sarawak to recognise English as official language besides Bahasa Malaysia |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/18/sarawak-to-recognise-english-as-official-language-besides-bahasa-malaysia/ |access-date=2 April 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082141/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/18/sarawak-to-recognise-english-as-official-language-besides-bahasa-malaysia/ |archive-date=5 March 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-makes-english-official-language-along-with-bm |title=Sarawak makes English official language along with BM |work=themalaymailonline.com |date=13 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1615945 |title=Sarawak adopts English as official language |work=thesundaily.my}} Sarawak's language autonomy does not extend to the educational system, with the language syllabus controlled by the federal government.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysia-today.net/2020/01/01/sarawak-schools-bound-by-jawi-syllabus-despite-legal-leeway-on-official-language-says-lawyer/ |title=Sarawak schools bound by Jawi syllabus despite legal leeway on official language, says lawyer |work=Malaysia Today |date=1 January 2020 |access-date=2 April 2021}}

Although the official form of Malay, Bahasa Malaysia, is spoken by the government administration, it is used infrequently in colloquial conversation. The local dialect of Bahasa Sarawak (Sarawak Malay) dominates the vernacular. Bahasa Sarawak is the most common language of Sarawak Malays and other indigenous tribes. The Iban language, which has minor regional variations, is the most widely spoken native language, with 60 per cent of the Sarawak population speaking it as a first language. The Bidayuh language, with six major dialects, is spoken by 10 per cent of the population. The Orang Ulu have about 30 different language dialects. While the ethnic Chinese originate from a variety of backgrounds and speak many different Southern Chinese languages such as Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Fuzhou, and Teochew, they also converse in Malaysian Mandarin.{{cite news |title=Sarawak, a land of many tongues |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/12/23/sarawak-a-land-of-many-tongues/ |access-date=7 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113120315/http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/12/23/sarawak-a-land-of-many-tongues/ |archive-date=13 November 2015}} Tamil language is spoken by the Indians in Sarawak.

{{Main|Demographics of Sarawak#Religions of Sarawak}}

{{bar box

|width=250px

|barwidth=100px

|title=Religion in Sarawak (2020)

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

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|bars=

{{bar percent|Christianity|Blue|50.1}}

{{bar percent|Islam|Green|34.2}}

{{bar percent|Buddhism|Orange|12.8}}

{{bar percent|No religion|Yellow|1.2}}

{{bar percent|Others|Gray|0.5}}

}}

Christianity is the largest religion in Sarawak, representing 50.1% of the total population according to the 2020 census. This makes Sarawak the only Malaysian state with a Christian majority. The earliest Christian missionaries in Sarawak were Church of England (Anglicans) in 1848, followed by Roman Catholics a few years later, and Methodists in 1903. Evangelization first took place among the Chinese immigrants before spreading to indigenous animists.{{cite book |last1=Carlo |first1=Caldarola |title=Religions and Societies, Asia and the Middle East |date=1982 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-90-279-3259-4 |page=481 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1ME01zxL98C&pg=PA480 |access-date=15 December 2015}} Other Christian denominations in Sarawak are Borneo Evangelical Mission (or Sidang Injil Borneo),{{cite web |title=SIB & BEM – A Brief Introduction to Origin of SIB |url=http://sibgrace.org/about-us/sidang.html |publisher=SIB Grace |access-date=15 December 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126082044/http://sibgrace.org/about-us/sidang.html |archive-date=26 November 2013}} and Baptists.{{cite web |title=List of Baptist churches in Sarawak |url=http://www.mbc.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=60 |publisher=Malaysia Baptist Convention |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020050431/http://www.mbc.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=60 |archive-date=20 October 2014}} Indigenous people such as the Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu have adopted Christianity, although they do retain some of their traditional religious rites. Many Muslims come from the Malay and Melanau. Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion are predominantly practised by Chinese Malaysians.{{cite book |last1=Carl |first1=Skutsch |title=Encyclopedia of the World's Minorities |date=7 November 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-19388-1 |page=781 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXYKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA781 |access-date=15 December 2015}} Other minor religions in Sarawak are the Baháʼí Faith,{{cite web |title=Malaysia Bahai's – Sarawak |url=http://www.bahai.org.my/sarawak.html |website=bahai.org.my |access-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331125648/http://bahai.org.my/sarawak.html |archive-date=31 March 2016}} Hinduism,{{cite news |last1=Chieng |first1=Connie |title=Sarawak is a blessed land of harmony |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/48486/Sarawak-is-a-blessed-land-of-harmony/ |access-date=1 April 2016 |publisher=New Sarawak Tribune |date=17 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401152839/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/48486/Sarawak-is-a-blessed-land-of-harmony/ |archive-date=1 April 2016}} Sikhism,{{cite web |title=Sikh Temple |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/sikh-temple/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310162532/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/sikh-temple/ |archive-date=10 March 2016}} and animism.{{cite news |title=Animism is alive and well in South-East Asia: What can we learn? |url=http://www.pravdareport.com/hotspots/disasters/24-03-2014/127152-animism-0/ |access-date=1 April 2016 |publisher=Pravda.ru |date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401154021/http://www.pravdareport.com/hotspots/disasters/24-03-2014/127152-animism-0/ |archive-date=1 April 2016}}

Although Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, Sarawak has no official state religion.{{cite news |title=Explanation sought on real status of S'wak's official religion |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/12/explanation-sought-on-real-status-of-swaks-official-religion/ |access-date=11 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=12 December 2015 |quote=The Sarawak State Constitution is clear—Sarawak has no official religion, but the official website stated otherwise. This matter was pointed out by YB Baru Bian (Ba Kelalan assemblyman and state PKR chairman) in his letter to the state secretary in July this year, and no action was taken.}} However, during the chieftainship of Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, the Constitution of Sarawak was amended to make the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of Islam in Sarawak and empower the state assembly to pass laws regarding Islamic affairs. With such provisions, Islamic policies can be formulated in Sarawak and the establishment of Islamic state agencies is possible. The 1978 Majlis Islam Bill enabled the setting up of Syariah Courts in Sarawak with jurisdictions over matrimonial, child custody, betrothal, inheritance, and criminal cases in the state. An appeals court and Courts of Kadi were also formed.Faisal, 2012. Negri is empowered to make provisions for regulating Islamic affairs... (page 86)

File:St Joseph Church, Kuching, Malaysia.jpg|St. Joseph Cathedral

File:Sarawak State Mosque 02.jpg|Old Sarawak State Mosque

File:Hong San Si Temple 03.jpg|Hong San Si Temple

{{Main|Culture of Sarawak}}

File:Sape Player, Kayan Tribe, Sarawak (7246809770).jpg tribesman, playing the sapé]]

The location and history of Sarawak has resulted in a broad diversity of ethnicity, culture and languages. Among the indigenous peoples of Sarawak, outside influences have led to many changes over time. The Iban tribal culture in Sarawak centred on the concept of the warrior and the ability to take heads from other tribes in battle. This practice, central as it was to the Iban people, was made illegal under James Brooke's rule and ultimately faded away although reminders of the practice are still seen in some long houses.{{cite book |last1=Metom |first1=Lily |title=Emotion Concepts of the Ibans in Sarawak |date=31 January 2013 |publisher=Patridge Singapore |isbn=978-1-4828-9731-9 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cX3XAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22 |access-date=12 January 2016 |quote=Nevertheless, all these ancient customs pertaining to headhunting are no longer observed in these modern days.}} Two other tribal peoples of the Sarawak Highlands, the Kelabit and Lun Bawang, have seen fundamental changes to their ethnic identities as a direct result of their conversion to Christianity. One major change was the shift in the focal point of their social interactions from the traditional long house to the local church. Their religious devotion has also helped shape their worldview outside of their village, particularly in response to change.{{cite book |last1=Platzdasch |first1=Bernhard |last2=Saravanamuttu |first2=Johan |title=Religious Diversity in Muslim-majority States in Southeast Asia: Areas of Toleration and Conflict |date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) |isbn=978-981-4519-64-9 |page=383 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ThpBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA383 |access-date=26 December 2015}} For the Penan people, one of the last tribes to still be practising a nomadic lifestyle within the jungle, outside influence, particularly education, has resulted in a significant decline in the population that practice the nomadic lifestyle.{{cite news |last1=Kaur |first1=Jeswan |title=Penan slowly abandoning their nomadic way of life |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/life/2007/12/16/penan_slowly_abandoning_their_nomadic_way_of_life |access-date=26 December 2015 |newspaper=The Brunei Times |date=16 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226090855/http://www.bt.com.bn/life/2007/12/16/penan_slowly_abandoning_their_nomadic_way_of_life |archive-date=26 December 2015}} Others settle down after intermixing with members of different tribes, such as the Orang Ulu.{{cite news |title=Equal treatment for Penan community |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/03/01/equal-treatment-for-penan-community/ |access-date=26 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226091139/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/03/01/equal-treatment-for-penan-community/ |archive-date=26 December 2015}} One direct result of this diversity in cultures, engendered by a policy of tolerance to all races, is the increasing numbers of tribal peoples marrying not only other Sarawakian tribes, but also to Chinese, Malays as well as citizens of European or American descent.{{cite news |last1=Switow |first1=Michael |title=Interracial marriage blossoms in Malaysia |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0209/p13s02-lifp.html |access-date=12 January 2016 |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=9 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930105909/http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0209/p13s02-lifp.html |archive-date=30 September 2015}}

The indigenous tribes of Sarawak traditionally used oratory to pass on their culture from one generation to the next;{{cite book |last1=Pandian |first1=A |last2=Ching Ling |first2=L |last3=Ai Lin |first3=T |title=New Literacies: Reconstructing Language and Education |date=16 October 2014 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-4438-6956-0 |pages=95–97|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzxQBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97 |access-date=1 January 2016 |chapter=Chapter VII – Developing Literacy and Knowledge, Preservation skills among Remote Rural Children}}Pandian, 2014. it became the primary means of passing culture, history, and valued traditions. ... in the fact that oral literature is actualised only in performances; (page 95) examples of these traditional practices include the Iban's Ngajat dances,{{cite web |title=Tarian Ngajat Identiti Istimewa Masyarakat Iban (Ngajat dances a special identity for the Ibans) |url=http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php/budaya/6645-tarian-ngajat-identiti-istimewa-masyarakat-iban-.html |publisher=Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia (Malaysian Ministry of Information) |access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425041224/http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php/budaya/6645-tarian-ngajat-identiti-istimewa-masyarakat-iban-.html |archive-date=25 April 2015}} Renong (Iban vocal repertory),{{cite web |last1=Nie |first1=C.L.K |last2=Durin |first2=A |title=Renong, An Iban Vocal Repertory (Conference paper) |url=http://ir.unimas.my/2557/ |publisher=Universiti Malaysia Sarawak |access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231081606/http://ir.unimas.my/2557/ |archive-date=31 December 2015}} Ensera (Iban oral narratives),Postill, 2006. ... four were oral narratives ... (page 51) and epic storytelling by the Kayan and Kenyah.{{cite book |last1=MacDonald |first1=M.R. |title=Traditional Storytelling Today: An International Sourcebook |date=16 December 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-91721-0 |page=208|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IFNcAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT208 |access-date=1 January 2016 |chapter=The tradition of storytelling in Malaysia |quote=The Kayan and the Kenyah, who dwell in the upper region of Sarawak, have a vibrant epic-telling tradition that is elaborate and specialised.}}{{cite news |last1=Law |first1=Daryll |title=Preserve traditional culture for prosperity, Iban's urged |url=http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/13258/Preserve-traditional-culture-for-prosperity-Ibans-urged/ |access-date=31 December 2015 |publisher=New Sarawak Tribune |date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231053701/http://www.newsarawaktribune.com/news/13258/Preserve-traditional-culture-for-prosperity-Ibans-urged/ |archive-date=31 December 2015}}

File:Ngajat, the Iban's Warrior Dance.jpg, the Iban warrior dance gazetted as part of Sarawak culture]]

In the years before federation, the colonial government recognised that British education and indigenous culture was influencing a new generation of Iban teachers. Thus, on 15 September 1958, the Borneo Literature Bureau was inaugurated with a charter to nurture and encourage local literature while also supporting the government in its release of documentation, particularly in technical and instructional manuscripts that were to be distributed to the indigenous peoples of Sarawak and Sabah. As well as indigenous languages, documents would also be published in English, Chinese and Malay. In 1977, the bureau came under the authority of the federal government language planning and development agency, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), which advocated publication only in Malay ultimately causing the demise of fledgling indigenous literature.Postill, 2006; ... to encourage local authorship and meet local needs ... (page 51) ... The Bureau ceased to exist in 1977 when it was taken over by the federal body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.(page 55) ... He concludes that DBP cannot publish books in regional languages (pages 59 and 60)

It was a number of decades before print media began to appear in Sarawak. The Sarawak Gazette, published by the Brooke government, recorded a variety of news relating to economics, agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, began circulation in 1870 and continues in modern times.{{cite news |title=Sarawak Gazette now available online |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/31/sarawak-gazette-now-available-online/ |access-date=5 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509202403/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/31/sarawak-gazette-now-available-online |archive-date=9 May 2015}}

However, in the decades following federation, restrictive laws and connections to businesses have meant that the media is a largely state-owned enterprise.Postill, 2006. ... the government controls virtually all newspapers in Sarawak (page 76) One of the earliest known text publications in Borneo, Hikayat Panglima Nikosa (Story of Nikosa the Warrior), was first printed in Kuching, 1876.{{cite journal |last1=Walker |first1=J.H |title=Hikayat Panglima Nikosa and the Sarawak Gazette: Transforming Texts in Nineteenth Century Sarawak |journal=Modern Asian Studies |date=13 April 2005 |volume=39 |issue=2 |page=427 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X04001507 |s2cid=145371339}}

There are a number of museums in Sarawak that preserve and maintain artefacts of Sarawak's culture. At the foot of Mount Santubong, Kuching, is Sarawak Cultural Village, a "living museum" that showcases the various ethnic groups carrying out traditional activities in their respective traditional houses.{{cite web |title=Explore Sarawak in Half a Day |url=http://www.scv.com.my/main.asp |publisher=Sarawak Cultural Village |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207151953/http://www.scv.com.my/main.asp |archive-date=7 December 2015}}{{cite web |title=Sarawak Cultural Village |work=The official travel website for Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo |url=http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/sarawak-cultural-village-svc/ |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226093807/http://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/sarawak-cultural-village-svc/ |archive-date=26 December 2015}} The Sarawak State Museum houses a collection of artefacts such as pottery, textiles, and woodcarving tools from various ethnic tribes in Sarawak, as well as ethnographic materials of local cultures.{{cite web |title=Malaysian Borneo's Muzium Sarawak: A Colonial Legacy in Postcolonial Context |date=25 March 2010 |url=https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/malaysia/malaysian-borneos-muzium-sarawak-colonial-legacy-p |publisher=Cultural Survival |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005012910/http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/malaysia/malaysian-borneos-muzium-sarawak-colonial-legacy-p |archive-date=5 October 2015}} Orang Ulu's sapeh (a dug-out guitar) is the best known traditional musical instrument in Sarawak and was played for Queen Elizabeth II during her official visit to Sarawak in 1972.{{cite news |last1=Ringgit |first1=Danielle Sendou |title=From dreams into the mainstream |url=http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/08/26/from-dreams-into-the-mainstream/ |access-date=31 December 2015 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231005116/http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/08/26/from-dreams-into-the-mainstream/ |archive-date=31 December 2015 |quote=Aside from that, the late Tusau Padan performed for Queen Elizabeth during her official visit to Sarawak in 1972, ...}}

{{main|Sarawakian cuisine}}

File:Laksa Sarawak.JPG]]

Sarawak being home to diverse communities, has a variety of ethnically influenced cuisines and cooking styles rarely found elsewhere in Malaysia. Notable dishes in the state include Sarawak laksa,{{cite news |title=Best Sarawak Laksa in Kuching |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/food/article/best-sarawak-laksa-in-kuching |access-date=3 January 2016 |newspaper=The Malaysian Insider |date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808212857/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/food/article/best-sarawak-laksa-in-kuching |archive-date=8 August 2015}} kolo mee,{{cite news |title=Kolo mee, a Sarawak favourite, any time of day |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/food/article/kolo-mee-a-sarawak-favourite-any-time-of-day |access-date=3 January 2016 |newspaper=The Malaysian Insider |date=14 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309141249/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/food/article/kolo-mee-a-sarawak-favourite-any-time-of-day |archive-date=9 March 2014}} and ayam pansuh.{{cite news |title='Ayam pansuh' — A Sarawak exotic delicacy loved by many (VIDEO) |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/ayam-pansuh-a-sarawak-exotic-delicacy-loved-by-many-video |access-date=3 January 2016 |newspaper=The Malay Mail |date=28 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701010809/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/ayam-pansuh-a-sarawak-exotic-delicacy-loved-by-many-video |archive-date=1 July 2015}}{{cite web |title=Sarawak Top 10 Iconic Food |url=http://blog.sarawaktourism.com/2012/08/sarawak-top-10-iconic-food.html |publisher=Sarawak Tourism Board |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715180712/http://blog.sarawaktourism.com/2012/08/sarawak-top-10-iconic-food.html |archive-date=15 July 2015}} The state is also known for its Sarawak layer cake dessert.{{cite news |title=Singer Deja Moss' real passion is Sarawak layered cakes |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-biz/2015/03/24/baking-takes-the-cake-singer-deja-moss-real-passion-is-sarawak-layered-cakes/ |access-date=3 January 2016 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=24 March 2015}}

A number of international films, documentaries, television series had made Sarawak as a principal photography location, with Farewell to the King (1989), The Sleeping Dictionary (2003), and Edge of the World (2021) being most notable.{{cite news |last1=Ong |first1=Edgar |title=Sixty years of Sarawak on the silver screen |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/09/16/sixty-years-of-sarawak-on-the-silver-screen/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917063618/https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/09/16/sixty-years-of-sarawak-on-the-silver-screen/ |archive-date=17 September 2023}}{{cite news |title=Sarawak To the World |url=https://www.borneotalk.com/sarawak-to-the-world/ |access-date=14 August 2022 |publisher=Borneo Talk |date=2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726021401/https://www.borneotalk.com/sarawak-to-the-world/ |archive-date=26 July 2021}} Among the first locally produced movies were the Iban language film Bejalai that was featured in the Berlin Film Festival in 1989 and the horror film Possessed screened in 2006.

Sarawakians observe a number of holidays and festivals throughout the year.{{cite web |title=Public Holidays 2015 |url=http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/198/276/ |publisher=The Sarawak Government |access-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907173458/http://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/article_view/198/276/ |archive-date=7 September 2015}} Apart from national Independence Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, the state also celebrates its Independence Day on 22 July and the State Governor's birthday.{{cite news |title=TYT, CM attend state's 52nd anniversary of independence |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/23/tyt-cm-attend-states-52nd-anniversary-of-independence/ |access-date=7 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811061745/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/23/tyt-cm-attend-states-52nd-anniversary-of-independence/ |archive-date=11 August 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=M |title=Sarawak's "Independence Day" |date=26 July 2013 |url=http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2013/07/27/sarawaks-independence-day/ |publisher=New Mandala (Australian National University) |access-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725120609/http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2013/07/27/sarawaks-independence-day/ |archive-date=25 July 2015}}{{cite news |title=Pomp celebrations for Sarawak Governor's birthday |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/videos/2015/09/12/pomp-celebrations-for-sarawak-governors-birthday/ |access-date=8 January 2016 |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=12 September 2015 |archive-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108005545/http://www.thestar.com.my/videos/2015/09/12/pomp-celebrations-for-sarawak-governors-birthday/ |url-status=dead}} Ethnic groups also celebrate their own festivals. The open house tradition allows other ethnic groups to join in the celebrations.{{cite news |title=CM and wife to have Hari Raya open house at BCCK |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/15/cm-and-wife-to-have-hari-raya-open-house-at-bcck/ |access-date=7 January 2016 |publisher=15 July 2015 |date=15 July 2015}}
{{*}} {{cite news |last1=Aubrey |first1=S |title=1,000 throng Manyin's Gawai Dayak open house |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/09/1000-throng-manyins-gawai-dayak-open-house/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108003304/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/09/1000-throng-manyins-gawai-dayak-open-house/ |archive-date=8 January 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=9 June 2015}}
{{*}} {{cite news |title=KTS holds Chinese New Year Open House in Bintulu |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/09/kts-holds-chinese-new-year-open-house-in-bintulu/ |access-date=8 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=9 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216194917/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/09/kts-holds-chinese-new-year-open-house-in-bintulu/ |archive-date=16 December 2015}} Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia to declare the Gawai Dayak celebration a public holiday.{{cite web |title=Public Holiday in Sarawak in conjunctions with the Gawai Dayak Celebration |url=http://www.mkm.edu.my/index.php/en/news-announcement-archive/2-uncategorised/862-cuti-umum-sempena-perayaan-hari-gawai-dayak-negeri-sarawak |publisher=Co-operative College in Malaysia |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108003956/http://www.mkm.edu.my/index.php/en/news-announcement-archive/2-uncategorised/862-cuti-umum-sempena-perayaan-hari-gawai-dayak-negeri-sarawak |archive-date=8 January 2016}}

Sarawak sent its own teams to participate in the 1958 and 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games,{{cite web |title=Commonwealth Games Federation – Countries – Sarawak |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://archive.org/details/FormerCommonwealthCountriesSarawak |publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation |access-date=11 January 2016}} and 1962 Asian Games; after 1963, Sarawakians competed as part of the Malaysian team.{{cite news |title=Japan top the list with 73 'golds' |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620905-1.2.129.4.aspx |access-date=11 January 2016 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=5 September 1962}}{{cite web |title=Jakarta 1962 |url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?SYCXGjC0df+J2ChZBk5tvA== |publisher=Olympic Council of Asia |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101050016/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?SYCXGjC0df%2BJ2ChZBk5tvA=%3D |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=dead}} Sarawak hosted the Malaysian SUKMA Games in 1990, 2016 and 2024,{{cite news |title=S'wak to host Sukma in 2016 — Khairy |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/04/swak-to-host-sukma-in-2016-khairy/ |access-date=11 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=4 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111074735/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/04/swak-to-host-sukma-in-2016-khairy/ |archive-date=11 January 2016}} and was overall champion in the 1990, 1992, 1994 and 2024 SUKMA games.{{cite news |last1=Pail |first1=Salena |title=CM revs up momentum for 2016 S'wak Sukma |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/22/cm-revs-up-momentum-for-2016-swak-sukma/ |access-date=11 January 2016 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=22 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111075335/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/22/cm-revs-up-momentum-for-2016-swak-sukma/ |archive-date=11 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://sukma.bernama.com/news.php?id=2333058|title=Hosts Sarawak Crowned Overall Champions Of SUKMA 2024|agency=Bernama|date=24 August 2024|access-date=29 August 2024|author=Vikneswaran Raman|work=BERNAMA }} It also hosted the Para SUKMA Games in 1996, 2016 and 2024, and was overall champion for 13 consecutive editions from 1994 until 2018, before losing the title to Sabah in the 2022 edition and regained it in the 2024 edition.{{cite news |last1=Tieng Hii |first1=Ting |title=Sarawak's reign as Para Sukma overall champions ends |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/11/06/sarawaks-reign-as-para-sukma-overall-champions-ends/ |access-date=13 November 2022 |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=6 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://sukma.bernama.com/para/news.php?id=2345713|title=Mupok Lok! Curtain Comes Down On Para SUKMA S'wak|website=bernama.com|author=Farah Najihah Zuraimi|date=28 September 2024|access-date=28 September 2024}} In 2019, both Sabah and Sarawak Sports Ministries work together to establish the East Malaysia Sports Commission to facilitate the organisation of more sports programmes in the two territories including other places in the Borneo islands.{{cite news |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/09/05/sabah-swak-sports-ministries-to-work-together-to-create-east-malaysia-sports-commission/ |title=Sabah, S'wak Sports Ministries to work together to create East Malaysia Sports Commission |author=Matthew Umpang |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=5 September 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019}} The Sarawak government also plans to make Sarawak an e-sports hub in the region.{{cite web |url=https://dayakdaily.com/sarawak-hopes-to-become-an-esports-hub-in-the-region-one-day/ |title=Sarawak hopes to become an eSports hub in the region one day |author=Nigel Edgar |publisher=Dayak Daily |date=27 January 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030063025/https://dayakdaily.com/sarawak-hopes-to-become-an-esports-hub-in-the-region-one-day/ |archive-date=30 October 2019 |url-status=dead}}

Sarawak is a sister state/province to Fujian Province in China.{{cite web |url=https://wb.fujian.gov.cn/English/sisterstates/201801/t20180130_736955.htm |title=Sister Provinces (Sarawak, Malaysia) |publisher=Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Fujian Province, China |date=30 January 2018 |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927045527/https://wb.fujian.gov.cn/English/sisterstates/201801/t20180130_736955.htm |archive-date=27 September 2019 |url-status=dead}}

• Bibliography of Sarawak
• List of people from Sarawak

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{{Reflist}}

{{Sister project links|collapsible=true|wikt=no|q=no|n=no|v=no|voy=Sarawak}}

• {{official website}}
• [http://www.sarawaktourism.com/ Sarawak] at Sarawak Tourism Board
• [http://lawnet.sarawak.gov.my/lawnet/Law/TLnetPublishedOrdList.jsp?LTyp=All Laws of Sarawak]
• [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/malaysian-borneo-sarawak Sarawak] at Lonely Planet

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