Miri

This article is about a city in Sarawak, Malaysia. For the administrative district, see Miri District. For the administrative division, see Miri Division.

Miri
City
Chinese transcription(s)
• Simplified	美里
Miri City Council
Nickname(s):  "Resort City", "Oil Town"
Motto(s):  Progress with the society (Malay: Maju bersama masyarakat)
Country	Malaysia
State	Sarawak
Division	Miri Division
District	Miri District
Founded by Royal Dutch Shell	10 August 1910
Municipality	6 November 1981
Granted city status	20 May 2005
Government
• Type	Miri City Council
• Mayor	Lawrence Lai Yew Son
Area
• Miri City	997.43 km2 (385.11 sq mi)
Elevation	17 m (56 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Miri City	234,541
• Density	235.15/km2 (609.0/sq mi)
• Demonym	Mirian
Time zone	UTC+8 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+8 (Not observed)
Postal code	98xxx
International dialling code prefix	+6085 (landline only)
Vehicle registration plate prefix	QM (for all vehicles except taxis) HQ (for taxis only)
Website	www.miricouncil.gov.my

Miri /ˈmɪriː/ is a coastal city in northeastern Sarawak, Malaysia, located near the border of Brunei, on the island of Borneo. The city covers an area of 997.43 square kilometres (385.11 sq mi), located 798 kilometres (496 mi) northeast of Kuching and 329 kilometres (204 mi) southwest of Kota Kinabalu. Miri is the second largest city in Sarawak, with a population of 234,541. The city is also the capital of Miri District of the Miri Division.

Miri is the main tourist gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park, Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park, Niah National Park and Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park. The Gunung Mulu National Park with its Sarawak Chamber is one of the favourite eco-tourism destinations.

Miri is the birthplace of Sarawak's and Malaysia's petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The city's other major industries include processed timber, oil palm production and tourism.

Etymology

Name of the city "Miri" was originally derived from a group of indigenous people named Mirek, living at the immediate vicinity of the Miri town, consisting of about 2,500 people. Today, this group of people is known to be part of the Sarawak Malays. Mirek people originally stayed at Miri River (Likk Mirek), Padang Likku, and Sungai Taniku areas. They were later forced to the coastal area due to territorial expansion by Kayan people. The Mirek people came into contact with Bruneian Malay people and inter-marriage gradually caused the group to convert into Islamic religion and adopted the Malay way of life at 150 to 180 years ago.

The idea of using "Seahorse" as the symbol of Miri town was conceived by the former Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. The symbol was introduced by Miri Municipal Council for the first time during "I Love Miri" Campaign in 1994. The Seahorse is chosen because of its beautiful and distinctive figure with gentle and graceful motion. These characteristics describes multiple ethnic and cultural identities of the Miri town which live in peace and harmony with good values of life. It also denotes the location of Miri town near to the sea and coral reefs and the city status as a resort paradise.

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric Malaysia

The first forages visited the West Mouth of Niah Cave (located 110 km southwest of Miri city) 50,000 years ago when Borneo was connected to the mainland of South East Asia. The landscapes of the Niah Cave was drier and more open than the present-day Niah Cave. Prehistoric Niah Cave was surrounded by a mosaic of closed forests with bush, parkland, swamps, and rivers. The foragers were able to survive in the rainforests through hunting, fishing, mollusc collection, and plant gathering. The earliest evidence of human population in the area dates back to 40,000 BC in Niah Cave at Paleolithic period. This is evidenced by the discovery of Homo sapiens skull nicknamed "Deep Skull" in a deep trench uncovered by Tom Harrisson in 1958. This is the oldest modern human skull in South East Asia. This skull probably belongs to a 16–17 years old adolescent girl. Unfossilised Manis paleojavanica (Asian giant pangolin) bone dated back to 30,000 BC was also found at the proximity of the "Deep Skull". Late Mesolithic and Neolithic burial sites were also found at the Niah Caves.

History

Brooke Administration

Charles Hose advocated Miri oil exploration to Royal Dutch Shell.

Miri Well No. 1 in 1910.

Miri street view in 1925.

The Miri British Residency Building which was used as Japanese headquarters during their occupation in Miri.

Charles Brooke succeeded James Brooke as the new Rajah of Sarawak in 1868. By 1883, Sultan of Brunei (Sultan Abdul Momin) ceded the Baram region (including Miri) to Charles Brooke. Fourth division of Sarawak was immediately created with the installation of Claude Champion de Crespigny as the first Resident of the Division. The Miri area was still a fishing village at that time. It was a small settlement surrounded by mangrove and Nipah palm jungles consisted of 20 scattered houses, a few wooden shops operated by Chinese traders and a lone Arab trader. A fort was built in Claudetown (present day Marudi, 43 km to the east of Miri) in 1883. Claudetown became the administrative centre of the division. Mr Claude's administration was helped by two junior officers, 30 rangers, and a few native police. Charles Hose succeeded Mr Claude as the new Resident in 1891 and the fort in Marudi was renamed as "Fort Hose". To restore peace among various ethnic tribes fighting in the Baram region, Charles Hose decided to organise a peace conference at his fort in April 1899. This peace conference also led to the birth of first Baram Regatta which is a long boat race competition among the natives. The Baram Regatta continued to be held today.

The local population in Miri has indeed started to extract oil from hand-dug wells for centuries. Song Huiyao Jigao, a documentation on Song dynasty of China, has mentioned about the imports of Borneo Camphor and petroleum in 11th century. In 1882, Mr Claude reported to the Brooke government on 18 hand-dug oil wells in the Miri area. He also recommended that area near Miri River should be thoroughly explored. However, his recommendations fell on deaf ears. Charles Hose was interested in Mr Claude's idea after he took over the Resident office in 1891. He began to map oil seeps around Miri area. However, a consultant geologist from England discouraged an oil exploration in Miri due to poor logistical conditions. After his retirement from administrative positions in Sarawak, Charles Hose went back to England. He later went to London to discuss his idea of oil exploration in Miri with Anglo-Saxon Petroleum company (later became a part of Royal Dutch Shell company in 1907). Mr. H.N. Benjamin, a branch manager from the Petroleum company was interested in this idea. Finally in 1909, Rajah Charles Brooke came to London to sign the first Sarawak Oil Mining Lease. Royal Dutch Shell dispatched a senior geologist named Josef Theodor Erb together with Charles Hose back to Miri. Mr Erb started to map Miri oil fields from August 1909 to July 1910. He also identified a "Miri Hill" (now known as "Canada Hill", 150 m above sea level) which is suitable to act as an Anticline for oil drilling.

Finally, on 10 August 1910, first oil drilling operation was started. A 30-metres high rig (nicknamed the "Grand Old Lady") made up of wooden derricks and cable tool drilling was used in the operation by Royal Dutch Shell. On 22 December 1910, oil was struck after 130 metres of drilling at the well. Royal Dutch Shell also founded a subsidiary company named Sarawak Oil Field Ltd, which operated today as Sarawak Shell Berhad. Since then, another 624 land wells has been drilled around Miri until 1972 which is collectively known as "Miri field". Miri field is the only onshore field in Sarawak. It is because oil production has been shifted to offshore since the late 1950s. The first oil well on Canada Hill (Miri Well No 1) produced a total of 0.65 million oil barrels for the next 60 years until its closure on 31 October 1972. The first oil refinery and submarine pipeline was built in Miri in 1914. The oil refinery has since been relocated to Lutong (11 km to the north of Miri) in 1916.

Miri Resident Office moved from Marudi to Miri in 1912. The Miri town grew as fast the rate of oil production by the Shell company. In 1920, roads were built in Miri. Bicycles and motorcycles were also bought into the town. By 1921, there were 40 shop houses in Miri, with one English school and one Chinese school. Motor cars were later introduced to the town. In 1924, Pujut Road was built linking Miri to Lutong. By 1925, rotary drilling was introduced. Oil production continued to increase until it reached a peak of 15,211 barrels per day in 1929. Water supply were improved, jungles were cleared, and more roads were built. Miri became the administrative centre of the entire Baram region in 1929.

Japanese Occupation

Main article: Japanese occupation of British Borneo

The Brooke government destroyed Lutong oil refinery and storage facilities before the arrival of the Japanese.

Damaged oil refinery installations at Lutong in 1945 due to Allied bombings.

Impact from Allied bombardment on the town.

The Brooke government has been actively lobbying for the British government to accept Sarawak as one of its protectorate in an event of a war. By 1888, the British finally agreed to grant the protection to Sarawak. British dispatch several troops to Sarawak to strengthen its defences in 1930s. By 1938, under the leadership of Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke, airstrips were constructed in Miri, Kuching, Oya, and Mukah in preparation of an imminent war. However, by 1941, British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force had withdrawn from Sarawak and returned to Singapore. Therefore, the British government advocated the Brooke government a "scorched earth policy" in an event of a Japanese attack. A Denial Scheme was formulated to destroy oil installations in Miri and Lutong. This was because the coastline measuring 30 miles from Lutong to Miri was impossible to defend from Japanese landings due to shortage of manpower. By May 1941, 1 Infantry Company from 2/15 Punjab Regiment, 6-inch Hong Kong-Singapore Royal Artillery Battery, and 1 Platoon of Royal Engineers were stationed at Miri to oversee the destruction of the Miri oil fields. In August 1941, an operation was carried out to reduce Miri oil output by 70%.

Soon after the news of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Japanese planes were seen making reconnaissance flights over Miri. The Brooke government decided on a complete destruction of oilfields and airfields in Miri. Shell company officials received orders to carry out the Denial Scheme on 8 December 1941. In the evening on the same day, the task was completed. All producing oil wells were sealed up with vital equipments and machinery dismantled and shipped off to Singapore. Skilled workers and important company papers also went along with the equipments and sent to Singapore. The Punjab Regiment and several officials were sent to unoccupied Kuching. On 16 December 1941, 9 days after the Pearl Harbour bombing, Japanese troops consisting of 10,000 men landed on Tanjung Lobang Beach, Miri without any fierce resistance. However, on 19 December 1941, a Dutch flying boat from Tarakan Island attacked the Japanese destroyer Shinonome (under the command of Hiroshi Sasagawa) off Miri. The ship was sunk along with her entire crew of 228. Another flying boat X-33 also damaged a Japanese transport ship. After the fall of Singapore on 15 January 1942, skilled workers and equipments that went into hiding were sent back to Miri by the Japanese. They were immediately put into work for Japanese Oil Supply Service company named Nen Ryo Hai Kyu. Much of the Japanese oil drilling and refinery equipments were portable. A total of 0.75 million barrels were produced during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945.

During the occupation, Miri and Lutong was the subject of Allied air raids and bombings. Food, clothes, and medicine were scarce. Workers of the Japanese Oil Supply Service were made to construct and maintain Lutong Bridge and Lutong airstrip from Allied bombings.

Recent Developments

Miri town in 1983.

Petronas, a Malaysian national oil and gas company was formed in 1974. As a result, a concession system was changed into production sharing contract system (PSC) between Shell and Petronas. The first two PSCs were signed on 30 November 1976. Petronas formed a company named Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd which directly involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in the country. Petronas also initiated Baram Delta Gas Gathering (Bardegg) project which involves in the collection and compression of gas from five fields namely Betty, Bekor, Baram, Baronia, and West Lutong, located 10 km to 45 km offshore from the Miri city. This is to ensure the minimisation of gas loss during oil production. The two parties signed another PSC for Baram Delta in September 2003. Through this partnership, Petronas gained from Shell's strength of worldwide experiences and state-of-the-art technologies while Shell benefited from Petronas's in-depth knowledge of the Malay oil basin. Such partnership also resulted in technology transfer to the locals which is helpful in creating a pool of local talents. Petronas and Shell are also involved in educational outreach activities such as awarding scholarships to deserving students, Shell’s Project LINK, and Petronas’ Adopt-a-School Programme. Both companies are also involved in Malaysian first rig-to-reef project, in an effort to preserve bio-marine life in the sea offshore Miri. In this project, an abandoned offshore platform was made to become part of the Siwa reef.

Miri was elevated to city status on 20 May 2005 and become Malaysian tenth city. Miri is also the first town in Malaysia which is not a state capital to be granted city status. Miri City Day which will be celebrated on 20 May every year was declared. A time capsule containing news article of the day and a souvenir book was buried at Petroleum Science Museum at Canada Hill, Miri. The time capsule will be opened 100 years later on 20 May 2105. An effort has also been made to develop Miri as liveable resort city.

Governance

Miri City currently elects one member of parliament from the Miri parliamentary seat (P.219) into Parliament of Malaysia. The city also elects 3 state assemblymen into Sarawak State Legislative Assembly namely Piasau, Pujut, and Senandin.

Local Authority and City Definition

Miri was formerly administered by Miri Municipal Council for 24 years. It was upgraded to Miri City Council (MCC) on 20 May 2005, with Lawrence Lai Yew Son as its current Mayor, headquartered at Jalan Raja, Miri. Area under the jurisdiction of MCC is 977.43 km². Miri city lies within the boundary of Miri District, which consisted of the Miri City, Sibuti sub-district, and Niah sub-district, with a total population of 290,274 and total area of 4,707 km². Miri Resident Office and Miri District Office are located at Jalan Kingsway, Miri City.

Geography

Miri City as seen from satellite image.

Weather radar station on Canada Hill in Miri

Miri is situated on the alluvial plain of the Baram River on the western shore of northern Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Locally the Baram River is called the Miri River. Because of the prevailing southerly off-shore current, beach drift has built up the Jalan Peninsula as a barrier beach between the Miri River and the shore causing a "Yazoo effect" where the river runs parallel to the coast before breaking through into the South China Sea. The city is predominately located on the inland (east) side of the Miri River with only a few scattered residential neighbourhoods, a Golf Club and a small airstrip on the Jalan Peninsula.

Climate

Miri has a tropical rainforest climate. There are two monsoon seasons: the southwest monsoon, which is the dry season from April to September and the northeast monsoon, which is the wet season from October to March. The annual rainfall is around 250 to 380 cm (100 to 150 inches). The air temperature is between 23 to 32 °C (74 to 90 °F) the whole year round. But in rare occasions, temperature can reach down to 18 °C to 16 °C especially in the month of November, December and January. Lowest ever recorded is in December 2010 where temperature dropped down to 11 °C.

Climate data for Miri (1971–2000)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.9 (85.8)	30.2 (86.4)	30.9 (87.6)	31.3 (88.3)	31.6 (88.9)	31.5 (88.7)	31.2 (88.2)	31.3 (88.3)	31.0 (87.8)	30.7 (87.3)	30.5 (86.9)	30.3 (86.5)	30.9 (87.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23.1 (73.6)	23.2 (73.8)	23.5 (74.3)	23.8 (74.8)	23.9 (75.0)	23.6 (74.5)	23.3 (73.9)	23.4 (74.1)	23.4 (74.1)	23.4 (74.1)	23.3 (73.9)	23.3 (73.9)	23.4 (74.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	240.5 (9.47)	160.5 (6.32)	134.4 (5.29)	177.9 (7.00)	193.7 (7.63)	204.9 (8.07)	179.4 (7.06)	210.9 (8.30)	249.5 (9.82)	317.2 (12.49)	295.5 (11.63)	349.2 (13.75)	2,713.6 (106.83)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm)	14	10	9	12	13	12	11	12	14	17	17	18	159
Mean monthly sunshine hours	170.3	172.1	201.8	216.5	220.0	205.6	213.3	202.3	184.6	184.4	189.0	185.4	2,345.3
Source 1: World Meteorological Organisation
Source 2: NOAA (sun, 1961–1990)

Demography

People from Miri has been referred popularly as "Mirian".

Ethnicity

According to 2010 Malaysian census, Miri City has a total population of 234,541. Indigenous people forms the largest ethnic group in the city (143,736, 61.3%) which consisted of Iban (61,273), Malay (46,723), Melanau (8,313), Bidayuh (3,308), and other indigenous tribes (24,119). This is followed by Chinese (75,329, 32.1%), Indians (980, 0.43%), and non-Malaysians (13,362, 5.7%). The Malay people here consists mainly of Mirek, Dalik, Berawan, and Bakong people. Miri has 19 out of 27 Sarawak ethnic groups, including Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Kayan, Kenyah, and Kelabit people. Chinese in Miri mainly consisting of Hakka, Cantonese, and a small number of Teochews and Hainanese. Majority of non-Malaysians in Miri are Suluk and Bajau people from the southern Philippines, working at Baram Delta as fishermen. There are also illegal Suluk and Bajau people entering Miri using Pulau Tikus (near Baram Delta) as transit point.

Languages

Mandarin, English, and Malay languages are widely spoken here. Respective ethnic groups also speak their own dialects.

Religion

There are several religions in Miri including Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Bahá'í Faith. Among the Christianity beliefs, there are Borneo Evangelical Church, Anglicanism, Methodism, Roman Catholic, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Respective religious groups are free to hold processions in Miri city. Among notable religious places in Miri are: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Lian Hua San Ching Tien Temple (莲花山三清殿, Taoist temple), St Joseph Cathedral (Roman Catholic), Hwai En Methodist Church, St Columba church (Anglican), Al-Taqwa Mosque, Al-Jamek Mosque, Sikh Temple, and Kamini Durga Eswari Amman Temple (Hinduism).

Economy

Sarawak Shell Berhad

Miri mainly relies on its oil and gas industry, which contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sarawak. Sarawak Shell Berhad (upstream business) and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd have their offices based in Miri. Other multinational oil and gas companies also set up their offices here, including Nippon Oil, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, Technip, Ranhill WorleyParsons, and Petra Resources Sdn Bhd. In 1989, Asam Paya Oilfield was discovered in Sarawak inland areas. In 2010, Petronas discovered two oil fields offshore between Bintulu and Miri. In 2011, new underground reserves of oil and gas deposits was discovered by Nippon Oil in an inland region near Miri, Sarawak.

In the 1970 to 1980s, timber exporting industry became one of the major income generators for Miri. Multinational conglomerates based in Miri such as Shin Yang and Samling had their early beginnings in timber industry. Besides, shipbuilding companies such as Sealink Shipyard, Shin Yang Shipping & Shipyard, Berjaya Dockyard, and Sarawak Slipways have their major shipyards set up in Miri - Kuala Baram industrial area along the Baram river.

First large-scale oil palm plantation in Sarawak began in 1968, in which the newly formed Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad (SOPB) planted a total of 5,000-hectare (50 km²) oil palm plantations near Miri by employing Indonesian workers into these plantations. Since 1980s, SOPB has a total of 30,000-hectare (300 km²) of oil palm in Miri and Bintulu Divisions, generating a total revenue of RM 85 million in 2005. SOPB is now majority-owned by Shin Yang Group and Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) with its headquarters based in Miri. By 2014, oil palm plantations between Miri-Bintulu zone constituted 60% of total oil palm estates in Sarawak.

Miri Port Authority (MPA) was established on 1 February 1981 and commenced operation on 1 March 1983. It is located near the mouth of Baram River. The port is able to take in ships measuring up to 1,500 GRT (Gross Register Tonnage), with general cargo area of 50,895 m² and total developed area of 34 hectares (0.34 km²). It is mainly used in handling petroleum, timber products, coal, and building materials. A total of 23.94 million metric tonnes of goods was handled by MPA from 2011 to 2013, which earned a total revenue of RM 48.58 million in port dues.

Miri is a popular shopping destination for visitors coming from neighbouring country of Brunei because of a discrepancy in currency exchange rate (100 Brunei dollar to 250 Malaysian ringgit), cheaper items, and a variety of resorts here in Miri for recreational activities. Bintang Plaza and Boulevard Shopping Mall are the two major shopping destinations for Brunei people. As of 2014, Miri visitor movements along Kuala Baram-Kuala Belait checkpoint (Sungai Tujoh, along Sarawak-Brunei border) reached a total of 2.9 million people in one year. Miri is also an eco-tourism gateway to four national parks and a marine national park.

Education sector is another income generator for Miri with Curtin University Sarawak brought in RM 480 million foreign exchange annually from 3,000 foreign students studying at the university.

Transportation

Land

All the roads in Miri are maintained by Miri City Council (MCC). Miri is accessible by road from Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) through the Sungai Tujuh checkpoint which is located 35 km north of Miri. Miri is connected to all major cities and towns in Sarawak including Kota Kinabalu in Sabah through the Pan Borneo Highway. Miri is also connected to Bintulu town through a coastal road and Marudi through a 42 km road. ASEAN Bridge is located along the Miri-Baram Highway and crosses the Baram River, providing direct access to neighbouring country of Brunei, and the towns of Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak.

Public Transportation

Miri city has 2 bus stations namely local (located at Jalan Melayu next to Tamu Muhibbah and Visitor's Information Centre) and long-distance bus stations (located near Pujut Corner). Local bus station serves the Miri city area, Bakam area, Miri Airport, and Brunei. Buses to Niah National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Bintulu, Sibu, Kuching, and Pontianak, Indonesia departs from long-distance bus station. Local taxi services are also provided in the city with the main taxi stand at Jalan China in the city centre. Taxis here do not use meters.

Air

Miri Airport (IATA: MYY, ICAO: WBGR) is an important gateway to the northern region of Sarawak. It is located 11 km south of Miri city. It serves as a hub for domestic, international, and rural air services. Miri Airport is the third busiest airport in Malaysia, in terms of aircraft movements and the fifth busiest in terms of passengers handled. It provides services to 2.2 million passengers in 2013. The airport has direct international flights to Singapore and Manila via AirAsia. It also receives flights from domestic destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Kuching and other major towns in Sarawak. Miri Airport also caters flights to Sarawak interior such as Bario, Ba'kelalan, Marudi, Lawas, Limbang, and Mukah through MASwings using DHC-6 Twin Otters aircrafts. Currently, there are three airlines serving Miri airport, namely Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, and MASwings.

Water

Kuala Baram Express Boat Jetty is located 45 minutes away from Miri city centre. There are daily departures to Marudi, Long Lama area, and Gunung Mulu National Park by using express boats.

Other utilities

Courts of Law and legal enforcement

The current court complex is located at Jalan Merdu, Miri. It contains the High Court, Sessions Court, and the Magistrate Court. Miri city also has Syariah Subordinate Court which is located at Wisma Pelita Tunku, Miri with area of jurisdiction of Miri District and Marudi District. There is one district police headquarters at Jalan Pujut, Miri. Miri central police station is located at Jalan Raja while other police stations are located at Jalan Bakam, Miri Airport, Jalan Kampung Tulang, Bekenu, and Niah. There is also a central prison in Miri.

Healthcare

Miri General Hospital started operation in 6 May 1995, located 2.5 km away from Miri city centre and with an area of 87.11 hectares. The hospital has 339 beds and it provides specialist services such as Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ONG), and Radiology. There are also 2 polyclinics in Miri namely Miri polyclinic and Tudan polyclinic. Miri City Medical Centre is a private hospital that started its operation in 2002 and has 30 beds. It is located at Jalan Hokkien, Miri. Columbia Asia Medical Centre was formerly known as Selesa Medical Centre. It was acquired in 1998, located 4 km downtown Miri. It serves the communities from Miri, Limbang, Marudi, and Brunei. Shell employees make up the largest customer base for this private hospital.

Education

SMK Chung Hua Miri

All the primary and secondary schools in Miri (under National Education System) are managed by Miri District Education Office located at Jalan Kipas, Miri. Among the Chinese primary schools are SJK (C) Chung Hua Miri, SJK (C) Chung Hua Pujut, and SJK (C) Chung Hua Lutong. SK Agama Miri is an islamic primary school. There are several national primary schools such as: SK Anchi, SK Senandin, and SK St Columba. There are several national secondary schools in Miri namely SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK Agama Miri, SMK St. Columba, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, and Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Miri. Miri has 2 out of 14 Chinese independent schools in Sarawak. These are Pei Min Middle School (培民中学) and Riam Road Middle School (廉律中学). Tenby International School is the first international school in Miri. Other private schools in Miri such as Sekolah Rendah Sri Mawar and Sekolah Rendah Sri Mulia are providers of primary education.

Tertiary education

• Curtin University Sarawak - The first offshore campus of Curtin University, Western Australia, and the first foreign university campus in East Malaysia. Opened in 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak government, it serves the educational needs of local and foreign students.
• University of Chester - Works to commence soon for development of the university facilities. Will be Chester University first offshore campus outside UK.
• Cahaya Educational & Training Academy Sdn Bhd
• Community College Miri
• Fajar International College - Provide education in Occupational Safety and Health, Business Management and Accounting Courses.
• IBS College Miri - Has been developed as the key provider of business and management training and education program in Miri, Sarawak. The College was established in 1992, originally as a professional training and development center and received the approval from the MOHE in 1998.
• Open University Malaysia
• Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara
• Institut Latihan Perindustrian Miri
• Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia Kampus Miri Sarawak
• Institut Pengurusan Maxcel
• Institut Teknologi Riam (美里廉律理工学院)
• Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (Lutong)
• I-Systems College Miri

Media Network

Television Stations FTA

Television Channel	Frequency
TV1	E10v / 10 kW / 55kWe
TV2	E12v / 10 kW / 55kWe
TV3	E6v
NTV7	E36h

Radio Station

Frequency	Radio Stations
87.7 MHz	Sinar FM
88.1 MHz	Sarawak FM
88.9 MHz	TraXX FM
89.9 MHz	Ai FM
90.7 MHz	RTM Red Fm
91.0 MHz	RTB Pelangi Fm
91.9 MHz	Klasik Nasional FM
92.7 MHz	RTM Nasional FM
93.3 MHz	Cats FM
93.8 MHz	RTB Nasional Fm
94.9 MHz	RTB Rangkaian Nur Islam
95.7 MHz	Miri FM
96.9 MHz	RTB Pilihan FM
97.7 MHz	RTB Harmoni Fm
98.0 MHz	Miri FM
98.7 MHz	Kristal Fm
99.3 MHz	RTM Nasional FM
99.7 MHz	Kristal Radio, Recitation of al-Quran
100.3 MHz	Sarawak FM
101.3 MHz	era Fm
102.4 MHz	Melody FM (Malaysia)
103.2 MHz	MY FM
104.0 MHz	IKIM.fm
104.5 MHz	TraXX FM
105.3 MHz	Ai FM
105.8 MHz	Hitz.fm
106.3 MHz	RTM Red FM
107.1 MHz	Klasik Nasional FM

Culture and Leisure

Attractions and recreational spots

Cultural

Miri May Fest has been held in Miri since 1989. It is a month-long celebration of entertainment programmes, trade fairs, cultural, arts, sports, and social activities organised by various governmental agencies. Miri City Day will also be held during the Miri May Fest. Gong Xi Fa Cai Bazaar is held annually a few weeks before the Chinese New Year eve. There will be stalls opening daily selling food and drinks, clothes, decorative items, potted plants, paintings, and handicrafts. Various entertainment programmes such as lion and dragon dances will be held every evening. Miri International Dance for Humanity is held annually since 2004 by Miri Chapter of Malaysian Red Crescent Society in order to promote racial and cultural harmony. This event will showcase up to 40 to 50 multicultural dance troupes which attracts around 3,500 audiences. No dancing competition will be held during this event. Donation cards will be distributed to raise funds for the Red Crescent Society. 916 Malaysia Day Countdown cum Street Party is held annually since 2010. It is consists of a variety of outdoor sports events, street parties, and entertainment programmes which runs beyond midnight in order to commemorate the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Miri International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament is held annually at Luconia Shoals at South China Sea. Participants will depart from the Marina May, Miri and head up to the ocean for 3 days. The participant who catches the biggest fish in that category wins. Miri city Christmas Parade is held annually since 2007. Churches in Miri would start the parade at Miri City Fan and cover the main streets in the city centre.

Historical

Grand Old Lady at the Petroleum Museum

In 2005, a petroleum museum was opened in Miri in order to preserve the city's roots as an oil and gas city. The petroleum museum is built at the site of "Grand Old Lady", the first oil well in Malaysia which was opened in 1910. Visitors are able to interact with advanced devices displayed in the museum. Niah Archeology Museum is located near the archeological site of Niah cave. It exhibits the prehistorical artifacts found in the area. Baram Regional Museum was opened in 1997, housed inside Fort Hose at Marudi. The fort was burnt down in 1994, but it was rebuilt later to according to its original design and was converted into a museum. It displays historical and cultural artifacts belonging to various ethnic groups living in the area. The Miri Tua Pek Kong Temple was built in 1913 in order to give thanks to a monk who was believed to chase away evil spirits. The evil spirits was believed to have caused an unknown epidemic in Miri. It is the only building which survives World War II.

Leisure and conservation areas

Hawaii Beach, Miri.

Taman Awam Miri (Miri Public Park)

Miri is surrounded by five national parks namely: Gunung Mulu National Park, Niah National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Loagan Bunut National Park and Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park.

Tanjung Lobang Beach is the oldest recreational park in Miri. It is a popular spot for watching sunsets. There are two wooden piers extending out into the ocean which offers a view of the coastline and the seahorse lighthouse at Marina Bay. Taman Selera (which serves seafood meals), Miri Marriot Hotel and Parkcity Everly Hotel are located at Tanjung Lobang Beach. Marina Bay also has berthing facilities for yachts. Hawaii Beach is located 15 minutes away from Miri city. Picnic and barbecue facilities are provided here. Lutong Beach is suitable for paragliding and paramotor sports. Luak Esplanade Beach is located 11 km south of the city. It is a popular spot for barbecues and picnics. Further down the Luak Esplanade Beach is Bungai Beach, which is located at Bekenu, about 1 hour drive from Miri city.

Miri Bulatan Park was opened to the public in 1993. It has a man-made lake, a jogging track, and a traffic garden. Traffic games will held every year at Miri Bulatan Park. Taman Awam Miri (Miri Public Park) is located 3 km away from Miri city centre. It has a children playground, botanical garden, and a jogging trail. Miri City Fan is an urban park complex that has a variety of theme gardens, botanical garden, a swimming pool, a library, and an amphitheatre where concerts are frequently held. Taman Bunga (Flower Garden) is located at Jalan Asrama. Every plant here has a label which list down the name and characteristics of the plant.

Other attractions

Miri Crocodile Farm is located near the Baram Delta. It houses 1,000 Estuarine crocodiles including Malayan Gharial crocodiles. Man-made sanctuary pools are also constructed for the crocodiles. Other animals can also be found here such as Cassowary, Sun Bears, Python, monkeys and porcupines. Visitors are allowed to feed the animals with bananas available from the canteen.

Entertainment

There are currently 3 cinemas in Miri namely Golden Screen Cinemas, TGV Cinemas, and Star Cineplex. Other entertainment outlets in Miri includes: Season 1 Karaoke & KTV longue, Lot 9 Karaoke, Wheels Bistro Café, Pelita Comemercial Centre, BARcelona Spanish Tapas Y Vinos, Broadway Lounge at Grand Palace Hotel, KTV Lounge & Pub at Mega Hotel, and Ruai Lobby Lounge at Parkcity Everly Hotel.

Shopping

The shopping malls in Miri are:Bintang Megamall, Boulevard Shopping Complex, The Imperial Mall, E-Mart, Merdeka Mall, Miri Plaza(Servay Hypermarket), MYY Mall, Permy Mall, Soon Hup Shopping Complex, Wisma Pelita Tunku, and Permaisuri Imperial City Mall

Saberkas Weekend Market is located at Sarbekas Commercial Centre. It opens in late evening at every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are over 170 stalls in the market which sell vegetables, fruits, sea products, drinks, satay, grilled fish, BBQ chicken wings and other products such as local handicrafts, clothes as well as used magazines at reasonable prices. Miri Handicraft Centre is located at Jalan Brooke, Miri. It features handicrafts and souvenirs of Sarawak such as colourful bags, beadwork, woodcravings, and textiles made by local indigenous groups, Chinese, and Malay artisans.

Music

There are 3 music festivals in Miri namely Borneo Jazz Festival, Asia Music Festival (AMF), and Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF). Borneo Jazz Festival was started in 2006. It is a 2-night festival of 4 performances in each night by local and international jazz musicians at Parkcity Everly hotel, Miri. Asia Music Festival is also 2-day event featuring artists and musicians from Asian countries such as India, Taiwan, Philippines, and Indonesia. It was first held in 2013 at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club, about 5 km from the city centre. It attracts about 4,000 music lovers in attending the event. Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) is a one-day event introduced in 2014, held at Parkcity Everly Hotel, Miri. Among the activities that can be found here are music and dance workshop, and night concert featuring country music bands from all over the world. Stalls selling food items, games, and souvenir items are also available.

Cuisine

Miri Central Market (also known as Miri Open Air Market) is located at the Miri Old Town centre. It offers a wide choices of local food whose recipes which have been passed on for generations. Popular local delicacies such as Miri curry rice, chicken porridge, open air kolo mee, and Char kway teow can be found here. Exotic dishes of pig's stomach cooked with pineapple and pig's blood with chives can also be found at the central market. There are also a variety of restaurants in Miri that offers seafood, western-food, Chinese, Japanese, and Muslim food. Authentic cuisine from Kelabit Highlands especially from Bario can also be found here. Chinese Dim sum cuisine can be found at 2020 cafe in Miri.

Notable People

1. Zee Avi, international singer and ukelele player.
2. Shaun Maloney, Scottish national football player.
3. Taib Mahmud, Sarawak's fourth Chief Minister.
4. Joseph Kalang Tie, Sarawak FA football player.
5. George Chan Hong Nam, Sarawak's former deputy chief minister.
6. Wee Han Wen, First chairman of the Miri City Commission.
7. Natasha Seatter, Malaysian Racing driver.
8. Vijay Singh, was the Resident Golf Pro at Miri Golf Club at the early start of his career.

International Relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia

Sister Cities

Miri currently has one sister city:

Guangning County, China

External links

• Miri City Council
• "Miri City Map". Tawau. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)