Sibu is in Sarawak at the confluence of the Rejang and Igan Rivers. The population is dominated by Fuzhou, Chinese and as well as the Melanaus, an indigenous community.

Its origins are that of a small Melanau village in the 1850s. With the Rejang River becoming increasingly bustling with economic activity after the British Empire colonised Sarawak, the Fuzhou community arrived and formed the foundation of a trading centre. Later, Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka traders populated the town and formed a strong Chinese community presence. The town would later be an important timber trading post.

A 19th century British fort located at Race Course Road no longer exists. Back then, Sibu was a trading post known as Maling. Kanowit was then the centre of commerce for the Rejang Basin.

Excerpt from Wanderings Among South Sea Savages by H. Wilfrid Walke (available for download at www.gutenberg.org):

"There is a fort in Sibu, as indeed there is at most of the river places in Sarawak. The fort at Sibu was close to the Resident Dr. Hose's house and was attacked by Dayaks only a few years ago. Johnson, one of Dr. Hose's assistants, showed me a very long Dayak canoe capable of seating over one hundred men... The river at Sibu was of great width, over a mile across, in fact, and close to the bank is a Malay village, and a bazaar where the wily Chinaman does a thriving trade in the wild produce of the country, and makes huge profits out of the Dayaks and other natives on this river. "

In 1928, a fire razed the entire town into ashes when the timber warehouses caught fire and spread to the wooden settlements where the traders reside. As the site was considered geographically vital for the timber trade of which the tropical jungles provide a rich source, the re-development of the town was put to plan, and by the 1950s, the town has grown into one of Sarawak's largest towns. As of today, its population is approximately 200,000 people and city status plans are also underway.

Sibu Jaya, located 25 km away, is being developed as a satellite town. It is to feature light industries. Also being developed are shipbuilding centres at Tanjung Manis -- to be linked to highway to Sibu soon -- and at Rantau Panjang.

With the completion of the Durin Bridge and the Sungei Assan Bridge (est date of completion Dec 2005), Sibu will finally be linked to the state capital Kuching without the use of ferry crossings.

The airport, built during World War II, was relocated to its present site 23 km from town near Sibu Jaya in 1994. There are direct air links to Kuala Lumpur.

A spate of developments commencing in 2000 saw the town being transformed into a Garden City, with broad sidewalks to encourage a pedestrian culture.

External links

• Sibu's Official Website