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Kapit

Coordinates: 2°01′0″N 112°56′0″E / 2.01667°N 112.93333°E / 2.01667; 112.93333
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For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, see Kapit (federal constituency).

Kapit
Town
Bandar Kapit
Chinese transcription(s)
 • Simplified加帛
The Kapit town skyline
The Kapit town skyline
Kapit is located in Borneo
Kapit
Kapit
Coordinates: 2°01′0″N 112°56′0″E / 2.01667°N 112.93333°E / 2.01667; 112.93333
Country Malaysia
State Sarawak
Area
 • Total15,595.6 km2 (6,021.5 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total65,800
 • Density4.2/km2 (11/sq mi)
Websitekapitdc.sarawak.gov.my

Kapit is a town and the capital of Kapit District in Kapit Division, Sarawak, Malaysia on the south bank of the Rajang River. The district comprises 15,595.6 square kilometres and as of 2020 has a population of 65,800.

Kapit is accessible by boat (slightly more than 2 hours from Sibu by express boat), light aircraft, and most recently by road.[2] Reaching Kapit by car and bus from Sibu takes about 1 hour 30 minutes or about 1 hour from Song. It is the vibrant commercial and social center for the middle Rajang River catering to the longhouse communities and timber camps. It is an excellent base for exploring nearby longhouses or for arranging trips to the Upper Rejang and Balleh Rivers.

History

During the reign of Rajah Charles Brooke, a "Fort Kapit" was built in Kapit in 1880 to prevent the Iban from migrating up-river and attacking Orang Ulu settlements.[3] With the security provided by the fort, the area surrounding the fort was settled by Hoklo (Hokkien) Chinese in 1880, additional Hakka Chinese immigrants arrived in 1906, and Fuzhou Chinese in 1919. The Hokkiens worked as labourers while the Hakkas worked as farmers before venturing into businesses. Hock Leong Tieng Temple was built by the Chinese in 1889. Tai San Ten Association was formed in 1935 to serve the interests of Hokkiens and Hakkas.[3] In 1924, a peace treaty was signed between the Iban and the Orang Ulu people at Fort Kapit, thus ending the hostilities between the two tribes permanently.[4] In 1925, "Fort Kapit" was renamed as Fort Sylvia, after the wife of Rajah Vyner Brooke, Rani Sylvia Brooke.[3] The fort had withstood floods in 1887, 1934, 1961 and 1983.[4] On 28 January 1934, Kapit experienced the most severe flood in history with water level as high as 162 feet (49 m).[3]

In 1941, at the time of the Japanese occupation, Kapit only had two rows of 37 shophouses. The town was completely destroyed by allied bombing during the war.[citation needed]

On 15 February 1962, 51 elected Iban chiefs had a meeting in Kapit to discuss the terms and proposals of the formation of federation of Malaysia.[5]

Kapit was upgraded into a division on 2 April 1973.[6]

Government

Built in 1880, Fort Sylvia once housed the Kapit district office and a magistrate court. After 1973, it housed the Kapit Divisional Office.[7]

Geography

Kapit is located 140 km upriver from Sibu along the Rajang River.[3]

Climate

Kapit has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round.

Climate data for Kapit
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.9
(85.8) 		30.0
(86.0) 		30.7
(87.3) 		31.3
(88.3) 		31.6
(88.9) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.2
(88.2) 		31.2
(88.2) 		31.1
(88.0) 		30.7
(87.3) 		30.4
(86.7) 		30.9
(87.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.1
(79.0) 		26.2
(79.2) 		26.6
(79.9) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.2
(81.0) 		26.9
(80.4) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.7
(80.1) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.5
(79.7) 		26.3
(79.3) 		26.7
(80.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.3
(72.1) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.6
(72.7) 		22.7
(72.9) 		22.9
(73.2) 		22.5
(72.5) 		22.2
(72.0) 		22.2
(72.0) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.5
(72.5) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.3
(72.1) 		22.5
(72.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 382
(15.0) 		332
(13.1) 		353
(13.9) 		288
(11.3) 		277
(10.9) 		261
(10.3) 		201
(7.9) 		307
(12.1) 		307
(12.1) 		372
(14.6) 		333
(13.1) 		455
(17.9) 		3,868
(152.2)
Source: Climate-Data.org[8]

Demographics

Immaculate Conception Church was first established in Kapit in 1882. The church celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2012.[9] Kapit is home to many races like Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Kayan, and Melanau. People in Kapit may be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or other religions.

Economy

Transport

A view at the Kapit wharf terminal.

Kapit is reachable by express boats from Sibu plying the Rajang river. Kapit is also reachable through one hour ride by express boats from Song. Kapit river transport is served by the Kapit express boat terminal.[3] As car transportation has been open to public, express boats became a risk to operate, as customer no longer opt express boats as their main transportation, which could see the demise of local express boat industry in the future.[10]

As of October 2020, Sibu-Kapit road has been open to public, although it is not complete yet. It is accessible by car and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach there. As road need further refinement for completion, the road is subject to daily opening schedule, which is three times a day. Its opening times are 6.00–7.30 am, 12.00–1.30 pm and 5.00–9.00 pm. It is scheduled to fully operate by 1 December 2020,[11] but due to frequent road travel usage by local, the road completion experienced delay, also factoring the safety of road environment by the working contractor.[12]

As of December 2021, the road finally completed, with the full completion of Yong River Twin Bridge No.1 and No.2. Express bus shuttle service to and fro Sibu and Kapit available less than a month, on New Year 2022, after the road completion.[13]

While the main road, connecting Sibu and Kapit, has completed, the main problem due to lack of available alternative road previously not faced in Kapit is congestion in peak hours, making it harder for motorists to have a smooth and consistent journey.[14] In anticipation of such cases, federal government announced an alternative road would be built at some point,[15] although as of April 2022, there's still no word regarding the project.

Bus Express

Main article: Transportation in Sarawak
Operating Route Operator Remark
Kapit-Kuching BusAsia
Kapit-Sibu BusAsia, Kapit Bus Express, Lanang Bus

Local Bus or Bus Express remain unclear

Operating Route Operator Remark
Poh Kiong-Kapit bus stop Kapit Bus Express

Other utilities

Education

  • SMK Selirik
  • SMK Kapit No.2
  • SMK Kapit
  • SMK Balleh
  • SK Ng Metah
  • SK Ng Merit
  • SK Ng Meluan
  • SK Ng Ibau
  • SK Ng Bawai
  • SK Methodist
  • SK Lubok Baya
  • SK Sungai Tunoh
  • SK Sungai Paku
  • SK Sungai Amang
  • SK Ng Yong
  • SK Ng Tiau
  • SK Ng Stapang
  • SK Ng Peraran
  • SK Kapit
  • SK Bebangan
  • SJK (C) Hock Lam
  • SK Sungai Kapit
  • SK Lepong Gaat
  • SK Nanga Oyan
  • SK Nanga Mujong
  • SK Nanga Balang

Healthcare

Culture and leisure

Historical

Fort Sylvia is located in the town centre. It houses the museum for Tun Jugah foundation.

There is a museum housed inside Fort Sylvia today. The museum is managed by Tun Jugah foundation. The museum exhibits the photographs and documents depicting the early history of Kapit, photographs and mementos of Jugah Barieng (an Iban paramount leader), Iban costumes, textiles, mural paintings, and Sarawak amber carvings.[16] There is another museum housed at Kapit civic centre.[4]

Built in 1898, Hock Leong Tieng temple is one of the oldest heritage buildings in Kapit. The temple was built with materials and workforce shipped from China in its early days. During World War II, the temple was spared from bombings by Japanese or Allied forces.[17]

Rumah Bundong is one of the oldest longhouses in Kapit. It is located 40 km from town centre. The 50-metre-high Wong Tinggi waterfall is located at one hour walk from the longhouse.[4]

Shopping

Teresang Market is the largest market in the town of Kapit which sells a variety of daily necessities. It opens from 4 am until 7 pm.[3] Local handicrafts such as rattan products and colourful bead bags are also sold here.[4] Kapit town square is surrounding with shops selling everything from noodles to ropes.[18]

Food

Kapit is known for its Empurau fish which can sold as high as RM 500 per kilogramme for its rarity and unique taste when being served as an exotic dish. Dishes such as Riang and Rampo are fishes and shrimps cooked using leaves from the forests. A plant called Tubu is used as the natural flavour enhancer.[4] Kapit is also known for its "kasam babi" (preserved pork) and "kasam ikan" (preserved fish).

Attractions and recreational spots

Pelagus Rapids resort is located at one hour boat ride from Kapit town. The resort was closed since 2012 due to low occupancy rate.[19][20]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "The Official Portal of the Sarawak Government". sarawak.gov.my. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Gawai revellers jam incomplete road to Kapit | The Star".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Reminiscing Kapit's rich history". The Borneo Post. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Zora, Chan. "Kapit offers plenty for tourists and adventure seekers". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. ^ Desmond, Davidson (27 November 2015). "A clash of history and politics in Sarawak's English language move". The Edge Markets. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Pengenalan Bahagian Kapit (Introduction of Kapit Division)". Majlis Daerah Kapit (Kapit District Council). Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Kuil Hock Leong Tieng Kapit". Kapit District Office. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Climate: Kapit". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Catholic Kapit church celebrates 130th anniversary". Today Catholic Online. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Work dries up for Kapit express boat porters". Borneo Post Online. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  11. ^ "120km link road to shorten travel time between Kapit and Song | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Works on Ngungun-Temalat road experience delay". Borneo Post Online. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Long-awaited Sibu-Kapit bus service finally available". Borneo Post Online. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Kapit trunk road both boon and bane, say locals". Borneo Post Online. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  15. ^ "PM: Gov't approves RM20 mln for alternative road, RM5 mln for hospital upgrade in Kapit". Borneo Post Online. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Fort Sylvia". Tun Jugah Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Kuil Hock Leong Tieng Kapit". Kapit District Council. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  18. ^ Jeremy, Atiyah (2002). Southeast Asia. Rough Guides. p. 765. ISBN 9781858288932. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  19. ^ Lian, Cheng (17 July 2015). "Death of a white elephant". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  20. ^ "State urged to reopen jungle resort in Kapit". The Star (Malaysia). 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  21. ^ Golingai, Philip. "Winning the hearts of the Ibans". The Star. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
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