Betong is a town in

Betong Division Betong Division, formed on 26 March 2002, is one of the twelve administrative divisions in Sarawak, Malaysia. Formerly part of Sri Aman Division, Betong is in the Saribas area. It has a total area of 4,180.8 square kilometres, and is the smalle ...

Sarawak Sarawak ( , ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. It is the largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is ...

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

, lying in the Saribas area. It was formerly under the Sri Aman district. Betong is located between three main rivers, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas and Batang Kelaka, and covers an area of 4,180 km². In recognition of the area's rich history, rapid growth and contribution to Sarawak's economy, it was accorded Division status in 2002. It was then selected to become the administrative division centre. The areas of administration include the Saratok District and the Betong District. Betong has also been expanded to cover the Small District of Maludam.

Population

According to the Malaysian census, the total population of Betong District declined from 62,131 in 2010 to 46,900 in 2020, representing a decrease of 15,231 over the ten-year period. An estimate from 2015 indicates a population of 101,426 for the entire Betong Division. The majority of residents are

Iban IBAN or Iban or Ibán may refer to: Banking * International Bank Account Number Ethnology * Iban culture * Iban language The Iban language () is spoken by the Iban, one of the Dayak ethnic groups who live in Brunei, the Indonesian provinc ...

(75,923 residents); followed by the next largest ethnic groups are Chinese (20,584 residents), Malay (8,362),

Melanau Melanau (Malaysian language, Malay: ''Orang Melanau'', Melanau language, Melanau: ''Tenawan Melanau'') or ''A-Likou'' (meaning River people in Mukah dialect) is an ethnic group indigenous to Sarawak, Malaysia, and also present in West Kaliman ...

(216),

Bidayuh Bidayuh is the collective name for several indigenous groups found in southern Sarawak, Malaysia and northern West Kalimantan, Indonesia, on the island of Borneo, which are broadly similar in language and culture (see also #Language issues, is ...

(57), and other ethnics (15).

Economy and education

Betong's main economies are centered on farming, agriculture, and fishing. Most businesses are family-owned. The Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) is focusing on income-generating initiatives to boost the region's economy. Under the leadership of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, BDDA has established sub-committees to explore opportunities in tourism, economic activities, and modern agriculture. These efforts align with Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), aiming for the state to achieve developed status by 2030. Most bus express will pass through Betong junction, but only the Miri-Bintulu-Sibu-Sarikei-Betong-Lubok Antu bus route from Boreneo Bus will enter Betong bus station. To ensure the development of

human capital Human capital or human assets is a concept used by economists to designate personal attributes considered useful in the production process. It encompasses employee knowledge, skills, know-how, good health, and education. Human capital has a subs ...

and to meet the demands of

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE; Malay language, Malay: ) is an economic region and Economic corridor, development corridor covering central Sarawak, a Malaysian State on the island of Borneo. SCORE was launched in 2008. It is one ...

, education in Betong has been the subject of significant investment over the years. Betong is acknowledged by many as where early Iban people were educated first. There are a variety of schools in Betong, including five elementary/

national National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...

(SK St John, SK Spaoh, SK Nanga Ajau, SK Balingan, SK St Augustine), one middle (SMK Datuk Patinggi Kedit), five secondary (SMK Spaoh, SMK Pusa, SMK Ulu Layar, SMK Beladin, SMK St Augustine), three vocational (Kolej Vokasional, SJK Chung Hua, Pusat GIATMARA), one boarding (Maktab Rendah Sains Mara), and one community (Kolej Komuniti Betong), one polytechnic (Polytechnic Metro).

Climate

Betong has a

tropical rainforest climate A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southeast Florida, United States ...

(Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round.

Culture and leisure

* Fort Lily

Notable people

Arts

* Henry Golding, actor

Government

Stephen Kalong Ningkan Stephen Kalong Ningkan (20 August 1920 – 31 March 1997) was a Malaysian politician who served as the first Chief Minister of Sarawak from 1963 to 1966. Early life and education Stephen Kalong Ningkan was born on 20 August 1920 in Betong, ...

, 1st

Chief Minister of Sarawak The premier of Sarawak () is the head of government of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The premier leads the Government of Sarawak, the executive branch of the state government, and is appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the ceremonial gove ...

(1963–1966)

References

{{Sarawak Betong District Towns in Sarawak