Mukah

For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, see Mukah (federal constituency).
Mukah

The Batang Mukah Bridge, one of the most notable structures of Mukah.

Towns of Sarawak
Nickname(s): The Melanau Heartland
Mukah

Location in Malaysia

Coordinates: 2°53′46″N 112°4′43″E / 2.89611°N 112.07861°E / 2.89611; 112.07861
Division Office location Mukah
Local area government (s) Majlis Daerah Dalat & Mukah (MDDM)
Area
 • Total 7,916.33 km2 (3,056.51 sq mi)
Population (2010[1])
 • Total 43,284
 • Density 5.5/km2 (14/sq mi)
Resident Tuan Haji Mohd Supaih Bin Hamdan
Walikota Kr. Abdul Yakub bin Haji Arbi
Nickname The Melanau Heartland

Mukah is a coastal town which serves as the administrative center of the Mukah District (2,536 square kilometres) in Mukah Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. It is located by the South China Sea, about 2 hours by road from the city of Sibu. Mukah is also accessible by air by MASwings from Kuching and Miri. The duration of both flights is about one hour. There are also speed boats connecting the town of Dalat (about 30 kilometres from Mukah) to Sibu. The speed boat trip takes approximately 2 hours.

Masjid Setia Raja, Mukah

History

Mukah is an ancient trading and fishing port, situated at the mouth of the Mukah River adjacent to the South China Sea. Historically, the town was an outpost of the Sultanate of Brunei. It became part of Sarawak in 1861. It is now the centre of Melanau culture, and the "Pesta Kaul" festival, celebrated by the local fishermen in April to appease the spirits of the sea, is one of the major events of the Melanau calendar. Just beyond the center of town is the Lamin Dana Water Village, which is a Melanau Cultural Center.

The Mukah hinterland was traditionally a major sago producing area. Of late however, most of the predominantly peat swamp areas that dominate the hinterland have been developed into oil palm plantations.

In November 1862, Rajah Mudah, Captain Brooke Brooke, rescued several civilians from the Moro Pirates after a pitched naval battle off the coast of Mukah. During the fighting, Brooke's steamer named Rainbow sank four prahus and damaged one other with cannon fire. Over 100 pirates were killed or wounded in the engagement while Brooke, the Bishop, and their Sarawakian followers, were mostly unscathed.[2]

Demographics

Population of Mukah by Ethnic Group

According to the National Census 2010, Mukah has a population of 43,284. However, this is the population of Mukah district not Mukah town. The majority of the people is Melanau. Other ethnicities are Chinese, Iban, Malay and others.

Education

Mukah Polytechnic

Secondary

MARA Junior Science College

Tertiary

Future Developments

The development of the Mukah Town Extension Phase 2[4] is on-going now. The extension includes 103 units of 3 storey shophouses and a 3 storey shopping complex(228,100 square feet). The extension also includes a 3-storey shopping mall and a 6-storey commercial building which will consists of departmental stores and hotel with 108 rooms.[5] Once the shopping complex completed it will be the first and only shopping complex in Mukah and the division wholly. The phase 1 and phase 2 of the extension is completed.

Amid the State Election 2011, Abdul Taib Mahmud revealed that the state government will conduct a comprehensive master plan study on the Mukah smart town model by the end of 2011. The study would incorporate infrastructure plans including the building of railways linking Mukah with Tanjong Manis Halal Hub and Samalaju New Township in Bintulu. He also officiated at the opening of the second phase of Mukah Biotech Economic Zone, covering an area of 10 ha.[6]

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE)[7]

Due to its strategic location in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Mukah will be the administrative centre for the Regional Economic Development Authority (RECODA).

University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is developing a R&D centre in Mukah to focus on agriculture and resource based research and expected be operational in 2015. The Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) is also growing its vocational training school and should begin enrolling students in 2015.

The Mukah Biotech Economic Zone[7]

The Mukah Biotech Economic Zone will be established to cater for private sector R&D requirements and an industrial park will be created for selected industries such as food processing. To date a total of 26 priority projects have been identified with public investment of RM4 billion (US$1.2 billion).

Transportation

Air

In term of air connectivity, Mukah is served by a short take-off and landing airport (STOL), Mukah Airport. Flights to Kuching (3X daily) and Miri (1X daily) are operated by MASwings.[8]

During the 2014 Balingian by-election, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that a new airport will be built for Mukah. The overall cost of the project is estimated at RM 600 million. The earthworks has begun on 16 April 2014 at a site about 7 km from the town centre. The new airport is expected to be completed in 2018.[9] As of February 2015, 16% of the construction has been completed.[10]

Road

The Mukah-Selangau road connects Mukah town and other major towns in Sarawak via the Pan Borneo Highway. Express buses to Bintulu, Sibu and Miri are also available.

A 11-km road from Kuala Serumpai to Kuala Tatau is being constructed and will be completed in June 2016. Upon completion, the travel distance from Mukah to Bintulu town will be shortened by 120 km compared to current distance of 220 km.[11]

Things to Do

The Lonely Planet web guide recommends 3 activities to be done while in Mukah. They are visiting Lamin Dana, the Melanau cultural center located in Kg. Tellian; visit the local market; and try the food at riverside hawker center.[12]

The iconic Pesta Kaul Mukah (Mukah Kaul Festival) is held annually in April. In 2014, the festival will be held on 24 April until 28 April 2013.[13]

Good to Know

Mukah town even has statues of Ikan Merah (Red Snapper) and Udang (Prawn) that reflect the importance of the fishery industry to the town and the division as a whole.

References

  1. ↑ "Laporan Kiraan Permulaan 2010". Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia. p. iv. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  2. ↑ http://anglicanhistory.org/asia/sarawak/sketches1882/16.html
  3. ↑ http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-must-industrialise-to-be-on-par-with-other-states-says-chief-minist
  4. ↑ "Mukah Town Extension Phase 2, Mukah". Hock Peng Organisation. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Mukah Shopping Mall" (PDF). Hock Peng Organisation. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Study on Mukah soon". Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Mukah". Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.maswings.com.my/flights.html
  9. ↑ "First phase earthworks for new Mukah Airport starts today". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  10. ↑ http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/01/fulfilling-the-wish-list-of-balingians-constituents/
  11. ↑ "Shorter Mukah-Bintulu ride by 2016". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Things to do in Mukah". Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "MUKAH KAUL FESTIVAL". Retrieved 25 January 2014.
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