Page 280 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

272 RIVERS, LAKES AND THE SEA
Malaysia’s Rivers, Lakes and the Sea
Water is everywhere in Malaysia. The country has 4,800km of coastline,
the 29th longest in the world, which is remarkable considering it is ranked only 66th by land area. The coastline encompasses Peninsular Malaysia,
Sabah and Sarawak on the northeast coast of Borneo and 878 islands of various sizes. High tropical rainfall also ensures an abundance of rivers and lakes.
Rivers
Malaysia’s 180-plus river basins were, until the
20th century, the primary means of communication. They remain so today
in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, whose indigenous communities identify closely with their home rivers. Many rivers are important sources of green hydropower and also supply 98% of the country’s drinking water. They are also major tourism assets,
Pulau Sibu, off the Johor coast, is typical of Peninsular Malaysia’s many fine tropical beaches bordering the South China Sea.
appealing to nature lovers for their unique mammal and bird species, to anglers for hard-fighting fish such as giant snakehead and mahseer, and to adventure sports enthusiasts for
world-class kayaking and whitewater rafting. The longest are Sarawak’s Rajang River (563km), Sabah’s Kinabatangan River (560km) and Peninsula Malaysia’s Pahang River
Sri Aman’s famous benak (tidal bore), cresting to 2 or 3 metres along the Batang Lupar in Sarawak, is the venue for a unique annual watersports festival.
The Kinabatangan River is Malaysia’s second longest river at 560 kilometres and is home to a wide variety of bird, reptile and mammal species as it winds its way across Sabah to the Sulu Sea.