Saratok

Saratok
Saratok
Town
	Saratok Location in Malaysia
	Coordinates: 1°44′24″N 111°20′13.2″E / 1.74000°N 111.337000°E
Country	Malaysia
State	Sarawak
Elevation	10 m (32.8 ft)
Population (2000)
• Total	44,600
Time zone	UTC+8 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+8 (Not observed)

Saratok is a town, and the capital of the Saratok District (1,586.9 square kilometres) in Betong Division, Sarawak, East Malaysia in the island of Borneo. The last recorded district population was 44,600 (year 2000 census). It is located about 50 kilometers from Betong. Iban forms the majority of the population (51%) with Malay (40%), Chinese (7%), Bidayuh and Melanau minorities.

A majority of the Iban people live in longhouses in rural areas, planting paddy, pepper and tapping rubber to earn a living. Some of the Ibans in Saratok either work on or own an palm oil plantations. Generally, the Malay community live near rivers, fishing and planting pineapples, cocoa and coconut. A majority of the shopkeepers in Saratok town are Chinese.

Events

A main annual event in Saratok is the Saratok Regatta or Pesta Air Sungai Krian, a boat-racing event. This event usually takes place during one weekend in July. Many stalls selling things ranging from food to souvenirs are set up in the car park between Saratok Wet Market and a nearby Buddhist temple to capitalise on the number of people who throng to this event every year.

Facilities

There are three secondary schools and three primary schools in Saratok town and a number of rural primary schools.

There are also Saratok Hospital, Klinik Welcare and Everise Departmental Supermarket within the town area.

Notable people

Notable people from Saratok include:

YBhg. Datuk Amar Dunstan Endawie Enchana, former Deputy Chief Minister
Abang Sallehuddin Abg Shokeran - DBP General Director
YB Ali Biju, elected representative of P.205 Saratok and N.39 Krian.
YB Tun Enche Besar Bong.