Saratok

Saratok
Saratok
Town
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.

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 and Everise Departmental Supermarket within the town area.

Banks

Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)
Hong Leong Bank Berhad (last time known as Wah Tat Bank Berhad)
Agrobank Berhad (last time known as Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad)

Petrol Stations

2 Shell Station
1 Petronas Station.

Hotels

Aaron Mark Than Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Evergreen Hotel
Golden City Hotel
Popular Inn Hotel
Victoria Hotel
Villa Inn
Saratok Hotel
Hoover Hotel
Mega Inn Hotel
Royal Garden
Liberty Inn

Government agencies

Cooperative Development Department, Saratok
Works Department, Saratok
Irrigation and Drainage Department
Agriculture Department, Saratok
Health District Department, Saratok
Forest District Department, Saratok
Social Welfare District Department, Saratok
IADA, Kalaka-Saribas
Saratok Education Department
Saratok District Council
Saratok District Office

Notable People

Notable people from Saratok include:

POLITICIANS:

YBhg. Datuk Amar Dunstan Endawie Enchana, former Deputy Chief Minister
YBhg. Dato' Sri Edmund Langgu, former State Assemblyman for Krian, former member of parliament
the late YBhg. Dato' Sri Peter Tinggom, former Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Rural Development and former Member of Parliament for Saratok
YB. Datuk Haji Abdul Wahab bin Aziz, State Assemblyman for Kabong and Sarawak's Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Housing
Sih Hua Tung, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister
YB Ali Biju. State Assemblyman
YB. Datuk Peter Nyarok, former of Sarawak's Deputy Minister of Plantation and Cooperative Development and former State Assemblyman for Krian
YB. Encik Jelaing Mersat, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Saratok

CIVIL SERVANTS:

YBhg. Datu Nillie Tanggai, President of Majlis Adat Istiadat Iban Sarawak
the late YBhg. Datuk Amar Yusuf Puteh, former Sarawak State Secretary
The Late Tan Sri Gerunsin, former State secretary
the late YBhg. Datu Denys Lang, former SALCRA General Manager

COMMUNITY LEADERS:

The Late Temenggong Yeo Thiam Seng
Aeries Sumping Jingan, current Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sarawak
the late YBhg. Temenggong Datuk Montegrai, Iban Community Leader
the late Pemanca Naga ak Ajie, Iban Community Leader
YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Douglas Sullang, prominent businessman and former senator
Mr. Bernard Aggan, businessman and former Kuching South City Council Member