Miri
Encyclopedia : M : MI : MIR : Miri
Miri is a city in northern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It has a population of 239,600 people (year 2000 census) and is thus the second largest city in Sarawak. It serves as the capital of Miri District (4,707.1 square kilometers) in Miri Division of Sarawak. Miri was controversially elevated to city status on May 20 2005 and it is the 10th municipality to receive city designation in Malaysia.
Miri is the birthplace of Sarawak's petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910, and is now a state monument and one of Miri's tourist attractions. Shell also built Malaysia's first oil refinery in Lutong, a suburb of Miri in 1914. Recently, vast oil reserves was discovered just offshore northeast of the city. The city has grown phenomenally since oil was first discovered in the early 1900s, burgeoning into the modern and dynamic business, commercial and educational centre it is today.
The city's other major industries include processed timber, oil palm production, and tourism. Gunung Mulu National Park, a half an hour flight from the city, is one of the favourite ecotourism destination. Miri is also the main tourist gateway for the Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park and the Niah Caves National Park.
The city has created artificial lake gardens, theme parks and the largest open-air stadium in Malaysia as part of its efforts to make a more attractive environment for residents and tourists.
Generally, Miri can be categorized as a "safe city", with low crime rates. One could walk alone in the middle of the city even after midnight. However, there has been an increase in the number of attacks targeting visitors from the neighbouring country of Brunei.
History of Miri
The successful discovery of offshore oil in the 1970s triggered a fresh development boom in Miri; luxury hotels were built, more houses constructed and new shopping centres and industrial estates established. Miri ranked as the second most important commercial town in Sarawak after Sibu town.
The [earliest officially recorded oil find] in Malaysia was made in July 1882 by the British Resident of the Baram district in Sarawak. The oil was used by the local residents for medicinal purposes and later for lighting lamps and waterproofing boats. Commercial exploitation only began in 1910 when the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company, the forerunner of the present Sarawak Shell which was granted the sole right to explore for petroleum in Sarawak, struck oil in the town of Miri, marking the start of the Malaysian petroleum industry. The Miri success encouraged further attempts to discover other onshore fields. However, only traces of petroleum were found, and these were not large enough to justify drilling activities.
Consequently, by the 1950s, attention turned to the seas. This was made possible by new improvements in offshore petroleum technology. Marine seismic surveys were carried out for the first time in Sarawak in 1954. The shift offshore began to show results in 1962 with the discovery of oil in two areas offshore Sarawak. Other finds followed in rapid succession.
Oil development began to decline in the middle 1980s as development moved from the onshore wells to offshore facilities. It is by this time that Miri began developing its tourism and service industry.
Miri was controversially elevated from a town to city status on May 20 2005 and made history as the first non-Federal/State capital city in Malaysia. However, it is arguable how a town this small can be granted city status because there are other bigger towns in Malaysia that deserve to receive that status. (Penang does not have city status and there is debate as to whether George Town, the capital of the state of Penang has city status - see George Town city status controversy.)
Demographics
Miri's population consists of Chinese, Dayak, Malay, Melanau, Indian , Kayan, [Kenyah], Kelabit, Iban, Bidayuh, Penan and other indigenous groups. Through this broad classifications, the races are further sub-divided into different tribes, each having their own particular areas of abode, occupation and language.
However, the commercial, industrial and technological advances, coupled with easy accessibility and a growing number of inter-racial marriages among locals, has shaped Miri into a potpourri of customs, traditions and beliefs inherited through the generations.
It would be a difficult task to differentiate one race from the other, for the general populace look similar, although some are a shade or two darker than others. It is interesting to note here that people of different creeds live side by side in full religious tolerance. Religious festivals of different races are celebrated by all citizens, while greetings, wishes and visits are exchanged.
Although Bahasa Melayu is the national language, the people of Sarawak have their own dialect, which is rather like a Bahasa Sarawak-which although unauthorised, has become the Lingua Franca for the general population.
There is also the [local online community forum] created for the united multi-racial society in the city of Miri to share their thoughts and views.
Transportation
Air transport
Miri City is also an important aviation hub for Malaysian Airlines fleet for rural services that operate connecting flights to isolated communities in the interior. It serves as the gateway to national parks such as Mulu Caves, Niah Caves, and Lambir Hills. Besides Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia also operates flights from Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur to Miri at competitive prices.
The city also has a new air terminal which was launched by the Prime Minister in July 2005. Its roof and large columns resemble the Kuala Lumpur International Airport(KLIA). Even though larger aircrafts like the Boeing 747 can land there, it does not have an access bridge high enough to support one (even though original plans were drawn out to include one) and has lost potential flights from international regions.
Tourism
From a bustling oil town, Miri is experiencing a development boom into a brand new resort city. The skyline of Miri has changed a lot ever since. There are ambitious plans for Miri. The Miri Waterfront and Marina Park projects will give a complete facelift to Miri City.
Even though the atmosphere in the city is relaxed and casual, it is a bustling commercial centre with lively native markets, scenic parks, beaches, excellent restaurants and pubs. Miri City has become a very important hub and gateway to Northern Borneo’s myriad of cultural, adventure and nature attractions.
Miri, often called the Gateway to Sarawak, is the State's main tourist destination. It boasts seven National Parks and some incredible cave systems, one of which is the longest in South East Asia and contains a 54km long river.
Grand Old Lady
-->The [Grand Old Lady] is a must see for all visitors to Miri. Historically, Miri is a town founded upon oil and nothing captures this relationship quite so well as the "Grand Oil Lady" or Miri Oil Well No.1.
Situated on former Canada Hill now renamed unimaginatively as Bukit Telaga Minyak (Oil Tank Hill), this is the first oil well in Malaysia to be drilled by Shell Company in 1910. After a productive six decades and estimated 660.000 barrels of oil, it was shut down in 1972. It was eventually declared a national monument.
A lookout tower near the monument ensures the hilltop site's popularity. It offers one of the best views of Miri - the hinterland to the east and the townscape in the other direction.
The Grand Old Lady is accessible through narrow bypasses from the town center area and from the other side of the hill. A petroleum museum has been built here. Its current exhibition is the Islamic and Science Exhibition.
Shopping
Miri is also well known as a shopping destination among Malaysians and Bruneians. There are a few modern shopping malls in the city centre. These include the Bintang Plaza (or Parkson as most of the locals call it), a popular mall and hang out place for most teens; Boulevard, which houses the largest hypermarket in Miri; and Imperial Mall.
In addition, Miri is also known for its fine handicrafts. Handicraft shops along Jalan Bendahara are favourite destinations among tourists and locals. Besides that, tree bark and rattan bags are also available at the Miri Heritage Center in Jalan Lawas in Taman Tunku.
Higher Education
Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
The branch campus is the first offshore campus of Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia. Opened in 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak Government, it serves the educational needs of local and foreign students. Curtin Sarawak is the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. Curtin has a fine reputation as a dynamic and stimulating place of learning, and the Sarawak campus partakes in this tradition.
The diverse student’s population makes campus life a learning experience in the cultural melting pot of Miri.
Sited on a 4,000-acre site, with a large man-made lake and the parent university’s signature brickwork buildings, Curtin offers world-class facilities and a home for students from across the globe.
External links
- [MiriCommunity.net - The Voice of Miri]
- [Miri City Council]
- [Information of Miri Resort City]
- [Delightful insights into Miri Resort City with a comprehensive history & a picture gallery of the city]
- [Miri – from where it all began]
- [Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, Malaysia]
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| Sarawak |
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| Divisions: Betong Division | Bintulu Division | Kapit Division | Kuching Division | Limbang Division | Miri Division | Mukah Division | Samarahan Division | Sarikei Division | Sibu Division | Sri Aman Division | ||
| Cities: Kuching | Miri | ||
| Towns: Asajaya | Bau | Belaga | Betong | Bintulu | Dalat | Daro | Debak | Julau | Kanowit | Kapit | Lawas | Limbang | Lubok Antu | Lundu | Mato | Meradong | Mukah | Marudi | Pakan | Pusa | Samarahan | Saratok | Sarikei | Serian | Selangau | Sibu | Simunjan | Song | Spaoh | Sri Aman | Tanjung Kidurong | Tatau | ||
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