Page 38 - The Guide To Sarawak

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INTRODUCTION TO THE STATE OF SARAWAK
Located near the mouth of the Layar River, Betong is the fast-growing administrative centre for the Division of the same name.
townships include Engkilili, Lingga, Pantu and Lubok Antu. It is the site of Sarawak’s first large-scale commercial oil palm plantation (1976) and home to Sarawak’s first hydro- electric project at Batang Ai.
Sri Aman is one of the principal destinations for nature and cultural tourism in Sarawak. Highlights include the remarkable tidal bore (benak) immortalized by W. Somerset Maugham, the vast Batang Ai hydro lake, Batang Ai National Park with its population of wild orangutans, plus many traditional Iban longhouses along the Skrang, Lemanak and Ulu Ai river systems.
BETONG DIVISION
(Pop. 114,000, Area 4,180.8 sq km)
Sarawak’s newest Division (created in March 2002) is named after the town of
Betong, a stronghold of Iban culture and historic centre of resistance to Brooke rule. It comprises the Districts of Betong and Saratok. The population is predominantly Malay and Iban, with a smattering of Chinese and others.
Betong is largely agricultural; timber, oil palm, rubber, hill rice,
pepper and fisheries play an important role. Smaller townships include Kabong, Roban, Saratok, Budu, Meludam Pusa, Debak
and Spaoh, home of the annual Pesta Ikan Buntal (puffer-fish festival). Maludam National Park is an important centre for proboscis monkey conservation.
The compact riverine port of Sarikei, at the mouth of the mighty Rejang River, is the administrative centre for Sarawak’s agricultural heartland, Sarikei Division.