Sarawak belongs to the island of Borneo and is one of two Malaysian states on the island. Also known as Bumi Kenyalang ("Land of the Hornbills"), Sarawak is situated on the north-west of Borneo. Sarawak is actually the largest state in Malaysia while the second largest is Sabah - the neighboring state.
The city is thought to be named after the Malay word for cat although it would be spelled "Kucing" now and Kuching is the old spelling. However, some people believe the city's name comes from the word "cochin" which as an Indian word meaning "port". Or indeed, it may come from the Cantonese word for "old place".
In 1841 the Sultanate of Brunei, who at the time owned the whole of Borneo, ceded Sarawak to the British explorer James Brooke due to his help in stopping a rebellion against the Sultanate. Kuching then became Brooke's headquarters and the Brooke family ruled Sarawak for almost the next 112 years.
Not long after Japan became involved in the Second World War however, they took possession of Borneo in 1941 and it remained under their control until September of 1945. The territory was officially handed back to the British by the Japanese on September 11th, with all papers being signed in Kuching.
In 1946 once the British regained control over Sarawak, the last Raja - Sir Charles Vyner Brooke ceded it to the British Crown. However, Indonesia, which was governed by President Sukarno, wished to regain control of Sarawak and there was an undeclared war fought with the British to do so.
Sarawak became an independent state in 1963, and along with Sabah - its neighbor, and Singapore it joined to form Malaysia. Singapore was then expelled from the Malaysia and became its own Republic, which it still is now. The union between Singapore and the other Malaysian states was rocky from the beginning. Distrust and ideological differences between leaders of the State of Singapore and the federal government of Malaysia resulted in frequent disagreement in politics, economic, financial and social policies. The conflict spread to the populace, resulting in major racial riots in 1964 in Singapore. In 1965, Malaysia Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided upon the secession of Singapore from the Federation, leading to the Independence of Singapore on 9 August 1965.
Highly successful with regards to financial control and extremely low crime rates, its hard to believe that before European rule which began back in the 1600's, Singapore was a simple Malay fishing village.
The city is thought to be named after the Malay word for cat although it would be spelled "Kucing" now and Kuching is the old spelling. However, some people believe the city's name comes from the word "cochin" which as an Indian word meaning "port". Or indeed, it may come from the Cantonese word for "old place".
In 1841 the Sultanate of Brunei, who at the time owned the whole of Borneo, ceded Sarawak to the British explorer James Brooke due to his help in stopping a rebellion against the Sultanate. Kuching then became Brooke's headquarters and the Brooke family ruled Sarawak for almost the next 112 years.
Not long after Japan became involved in the Second World War however, they took possession of Borneo in 1941 and it remained under their control until September of 1945. The territory was officially handed back to the British by the Japanese on September 11th, with all papers being signed in Kuching.
In 1946 once the British regained control over Sarawak, the last Raja - Sir Charles Vyner Brooke ceded it to the British Crown. However, Indonesia, which was governed by President Sukarno, wished to regain control of Sarawak and there was an undeclared war fought with the British to do so.
Sarawak became an independent state in 1963, and along with Sabah - its neighbor, and Singapore it joined to form Malaysia. Singapore was then expelled from the Malaysia and became its own Republic, which it still is now. The union between Singapore and the other Malaysian states was rocky from the beginning. Distrust and ideological differences between leaders of the State of Singapore and the federal government of Malaysia resulted in frequent disagreement in politics, economic, financial and social policies. The conflict spread to the populace, resulting in major racial riots in 1964 in Singapore. In 1965, Malaysia Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided upon the secession of Singapore from the Federation, leading to the Independence of Singapore on 9 August 1965.
Highly successful with regards to financial control and extremely low crime rates, its hard to believe that before European rule which began back in the 1600's, Singapore was a simple Malay fishing village.
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Learn more about the city of the cat - Kuching, and stay at one of the Kuching Hotels. Do also check out one of the very best hotels at Damai with ocean front views that you will adore!
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