Malaysia: Sarawak Land of the Horn Bill

Sarawak is strategically located within the rapidly developing East Asian region. It is the largest state in Malaysia. The land area of over 124,000 sq km occupying approximately 700 km along the west coast of Borneo Sarawak is situated between Kalimantan (Indonesia) to the south, and Sabah and Brunei to the north.

The history of Sarawak is one of fascinating epics and legends. When the English explorer, James Brooke arrived in 1893, he found Sarawak in a state of revolt against the Brunei Sultanate. As a reward for containing the revolt, the 'Pengiran Mahkota Brunei' conferred on James Brook the title Rajah of Sarawak. The descendants of Brook, who ruled of the state for more than a century, also played the role in forming the state's ruling and administrative structure. In 1963, Sarawak achieved independence and became part of Malaysia after the relentless efforts of independence fighters led to self rule and democracy.

Sarawak has a tropical climate with year-long sunshine and an average temperature of 25.6°C. For four months of the year there is a wet season when heavy rain falls daily on the northeastern and southeastern coast. Sarawak, land of Horn bill, is rich culture. Its population of 1.6 million comprises over 26 ethnic groups, each with its own custom s and traditions.

The biodiversity of flora and fauna in the various forest type hills, peat swamp, coastal, mangrove and reverie present unlimited opportunities for research. Results from this research contribute not only to knowledge of ecology but also to developments in the field of medicine, health care and pharmaceutical.

The state's developments rest on solid foundations of political stability and development-oriented general policies. Its economy is driven by a wealth of natural resources such as timber, pepper, natural liquid gas and oil. Sarawak together with Sabah, produce 200,000 barrels of oil a day, almost half a national production. They contribute a lot to Malaysia government. Timber, however, remains the most important source of income in the agricultural export sector and ranks fourth among the total export income earners. Plantations of cocoa and oil palm also contribute to the economy. Sarawak is a unique place for those come fore holiday and doing research. The attraction would make people satisfied to come to Sarawak. It's supported with Malaysia government to launch the theme 'Visit Malaysia' to attract people to visit Sarawak.