Rajang River

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Rajang
Rejang, 拉让江
Rejang drainage basin.png
The Rajang drainage basin
Nickname(s)Swan river (Chinese community)
Location
CountryMalaysia
StateSarawak
Physical characteristics
SourceIran Mountains
 • locationMalaysia
 • elevation2,074 m (6,804 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
South China Sea, Malaysia
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length563 km (350 mi)
Basin size50,707 km2 (19,578 sq mi)[1]
Depth 
 • minimum2
 • maximum45
Discharge 
 • locationRajang Delta, South China Sea
 • average3,600 m3/s (130,000 cu ft/s)[3]

(Period of data: 2003-2016)4,715 m3/s (166,500 cu ft/s)[4]

124.826 km3/a (3,955.5 m3/s)
 • minimum1,000 m3/s (35,000 cu ft/s)[2]
 • maximum6,000 m3/s (210,000 cu ft/s)[5] 25,000 m3/s (880,000 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationKapit, Malaysia (Basin size: 34,053 km2 (13,148 sq mi)
 • average(Period of data: 1983-1990)2,510 m3/s (89,000 cu ft/s)[7]
 • minimum305 m3/s (10,800 cu ft/s)[6]
 • maximum10,799 m3/s (381,400 cu ft/s)[8]
Discharge 
 • locationSibu, Malaysia (Basin size: 43,550.5 km2 (16,814.9 sq mi)[9]
 • average(Period of data: 1992-2016)3,355 m3/s (118,500 cu ft/s)[10][11]
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • left
 • rightBaleh, Balui, Katibas

The Rajang River (Malay: Batang Rajang) is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. The river is located in northwest of Borneo. The river originates in the Iran Mountains, flows through Kapit, and then towards the South China Sea. At approximately 565 km long (351 mi) of total length, it is the 4th longest river in Borneo, and the longest river in Malaysia.[12][13]

Some of the important tributaries are the Balui River, Katibas River, Ngemah River, Iran River, Pila River, Balleh River, Bangkit River and the Kanowit River.[12]

Malaysia's largest and tallest (160m) hydro electric project, Bakun Hydro Electric Dam Project, is located on narrow Bakun Fall of Balui River.

Etymology[]

In Sarawakian Malay, the main river is named Batang (meaning "trunk" or "tree" in Malay) as it is the main larger stream as they took "root" in from its tributary rivers which is known as Sungai ("river" proper in Sarawakian Malay) and branches out again at the delta. For example, Rajang River is known as Batang Rajang and Balleh River is known as Sungai Balleh in Malay.[14][note 1] However, Standard Malay makes no differentiation in this regard.

For upriver areas, such as the areas surrounding the headwaters, the place is named as "Ulu" (which means "upriver") or "Hulu" in Malay. For example, "Hulu Rajang" is the upriver part of the Rajang river.[15] For bazaars along the river that are too small to call towns, they are named as "Nanga" in the Iban language, which is located at the point which the tributaries join the main river. Examples of Nangas are: Nanga Ngemah, Nanga Dap, and Nanga Poi.[14][note 2] In Iban language, "Nanga" means "longhouse" and it is often followed by the name of the river that they are next to. There are also certain longhouses that use "Rumah" (meaning "house" in Malay). It often follows the name of the headman. If the headman changed, then the name of the longhouse also changed. "Long" meaning "confluence" is used by the Orang Ulu (upriver people). It is used to name the places located at the confluence between the smaller tributaries and the major river, same way as the Malay usage of the name "Kuala" (meaning river delta).[15]

Amongst the Chinese in Sibu, the Rajang River also nicknamed as the "Swan River" (鹅江). This came from a legend where famine in Sibu ended when a flock of swans flew through the skies of Sibu. There is another story where the Sibu Chinese immigrants regarded Sibu Melanau people as "Go" people because a staple food of Melanau staple food was "Sago". Coincidentally, "Go" pronunciation is similar to Hokkien pronunciation of "Swan".[16] This reminded Sibu Chinese immigrants of "Swan River" back in Fuzhou, China.[17]

Course[]

Sibu is located at 105 km from the river mouth
The elongated Bruit Island is located at the mouth of the Rajang River

The Rajang river is the longest river system in Malaysia, measuring 350 miles (560 km). Its headwaters is located in the Nieuwenhuis mountains where it forms the political boundary between Malaysia and Indonesia. There is more than 160 inches (410 cm) of rain fall each year on the Nieuwenhuis mountain range, which forms the headwaters of Rajang. The river flows from northeast to southwest. The Punan Bah people are staying at the headwaters of the Rajang. One of the Rajang tributaries, the Balui River, located at the north of Hose mountains,[18][note 3] flows into the lands of the Kayan people and Kenyah people. There is also a great bend of the Rajang river in this region. At the western end of the great bend lies the Belaga District. Going further downstream is the Pelagus Rapids where the Iban people dominates.[14][note 4] The Pelagus Rapids is located at 180 miles (290 km) from the Rajang river mouth. As Balleh River from the south of Hose mountains[18][note 5] joins with the Balui river, the Rajang river become broader and deeper. The broader part of the Rajang river hosted about 25% of the people of Sarawak.[14][note 6] It is also at this intersection point, about 160 miles (260 km) from the river mouth, the river started to flow from east to west. At this point, there is a town known as Kapit. Kapit is the last stop of express boats coming from Sibu. The town of Kapit is inhabited by the Chinese, Iban, and Kayan people.[14][note 7] Kapit is the biggest town in the upper Rajang river.[18][note 8]

Further downriver are the smaller towns such as Song which is located at the mouth of the Katibas River. At about 120 miles (190 km) from the sea, there are Mixed Zone Lands. These lands can be owned both the Chinese and the Iban people. The lands are divided into parcels measuring several acres, where smallholders clear the land for agricultural activities.[14][note 9] In the midst of these Mixed Zone Lands at 105 miles (169 km) miles from the sea, there is a town named Kanowit. The river near Kanowit is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide.[14][note 10]

The biggest town by the river is Sibu, some 65 miles (105 km) upriver from the mouth of the Rajang.[18][note 11] It can be reached by ocean-going vessels. Sibu is the political, economic, cultural, and education centre of the central region of Sarawak.[14][note 12] Other towns which are located further downriver are Sarikei [24 miles (39 km) from Rajang town] and Bintangor.[11 miles (18 km) from Sarikei].[18][note 13] These two towns are mainly settled by the Chinese. Tanjung Manis District [16 miles (26 km) from river mouth][18][note 14] is located near the Rajang River delta where the Malay and Melanau people dominates.[14][note 15] Bruit Island is situated inside the Rajang delta, with a light house at the Sirik Point.[12] The Rajang delta is bounded between the Igan town in the north and the Rajang town [4 miles (6.4 km) from the river mouth] in the south.[18][note 16]

History[]

A group a natives row their longboat against water current in the river near Pelagus in 1912.

The population of the Rajang River was very low in the 19th century during the Bruneian Empire. The natives living along the river traded several forest products with Malay traders from Brunei. At that time, the Melanau, Kanowit, and Rajang ethnic groups were living downriver; Bhuket, Punan Bah, Lugat, Sihan, and Kejaman ethnic groups lived at the middle section of the river; and with Penan and Seping living in the upriver area. After the 19th century, the Kayan and Kenyah migrated to the Balui river from the present day Indonesian Kalimantan. Meanwhile, the Iban people migrated from the West Kalimantan to the lower Rajang valley while conducting shifting cultivation. With introduction of new tribes in the Rajang basin, inter-ethnic battles became rife. Some ethnic groups fled to Balingian and Tatau rivers to avoid the conflict.[19]

In the late 19th century, the Brooke government started to construct forts along the Rajang River in order to ensure political stability in the Rajang basin. The Chinese then started to move inland and settle near the forts and trade various forest products with the natives. In 1884, Belaga fort and trading market was constructed. It soon became the political and economic centre of the district. Subsequently, government offices, schools, a bank, a police station, a mosque, and churches were built around the fort.[19]

During the Brooke era, sago processing industry was an important economic activity amongst the Melanaus living along the coastal areas. It was also an important revenue for the Sarawak government. The Sago products were sent to Sibu before being exported to overseas due to better port facilities in Sibu. The Ibans in the Rajang basin exchanged jungle produce with Chinese and Malay businessmen for salt, beads, metal, porcelain utensils, earthen jars, and coins. Seeing the success of Chinese planting rubber trees and pepper vines, the Ibans also started to grow these cash crops. Later when the Chinese ventured into the logging industry, the Ibans left to work inside timber companies, thus leading to urban migration of the Ibans. Meanwhile, the Kayans and Kenyahs grew rice, cash crops such as rubber, coffee, and groundnuts, and collecting jungle produce. The Penans and Punans maintained their own nomadic way of life. They brought jungle produce, woven items, and handicrafts on certain market days for sale.[18][note 17]

During Sarawak Communist Insurgency, Sarawak government set up the "Rajang Special Security Area" on 25 March 1973. A day later, Rajang Security Command (RASCOM) was formed as a result of co-operation of civil, military, and police command headquarters. These measures were taken to clamp down communist activities in the Rajang delta.[20][21]

In 1997, Bakun Dam construction was started at the upper Balui River. Many longhouses and villages in this area was resettled at the Sungai Asap resettlement scheme. Sungai Asap is connected to Bakun Dam through the Bakun road.[19]

On 6 October 2010, heavy rain have caused a massive landslide that brought logs and debris down into the Balleh river, tributaries above Kapit, and then into the Rajang river. It was estimated that the volume of the logs and debris had exceeded 300, 000 m3. This logjam had also affected the Igan river. The log debris, stretching 50 km long, had reached Sibu on 8 October. The logjam had caused transportation difficulties for the people living alongside the river and dead fish were also seen on the river.[22] As on 2 November 2012, Global Witness revealed that the logging operation of Interglobal Empire, a subsidiary of WTK group of companies, in the logging concession T/3476 was responsible for the landslide into Melatai River which subsequently blocked the Rajang River.[23] Similar logjam recurred in early 2017 at the upper reaches of the Balui river.[24]

In September 2020, due to heavy rain in the upper tributaries of the Rajang river, there were flash floods at the low-lying areas in Kapit, Song, Kanowit and Sibu.[25][26][27] In August 2021, another logjam blocked the Rejang River, shutting down the water treatment plants in Sibu.[28]

Wildlife[]

Mammals[]

A total of 30 species of mammals are recorded along the Rajang basin in 2004. The mouth of the river is the only place where the dolphins can be sighted. Totally protected mammals include gibbon, langurs, black giant squirrel, slow loris, and tarsier. Civets, otters, bats, treeshrew, and primates are also included under Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998. Wild pigs and deers are the most frequently hunted animals by the locals while primates can be hunted incidentally.[29]

Birds[]

122 species of birds were sighted along the Rajang basin in 2004. 21 species were recorded along the mouth of the river while 96 species were recorded in Hose Mountains and 88 species at Lanjak Entimau which are located in the interior of Sarawak. The only endemic species of birds located at Rajang basin is Dusky munia which is found abundantly in paddy fields. Other species of birds which are commonly found along the Rajang basin are: Pacific swallow, Little spiderhunter, and Asian glossy starling. 20 species of birds (mainly eagles, egret, kingfishers, woodpeckers) are protected while 7 species of birds (mainly Hornbill and Pheasant) are totally protected under the Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.[29]

Fish[]

A total of 164 fish species has been recorded at the Rajang basin in 2005.[30] Empurau (Tor tambroides) and Semah (Tor douronensis) fish are considered popular fishes among the locals.[31] Empurau fish is still found breeding near the upper tributaries of Rajang such as Balleh River and near the Bakun Dam.[32]

Economy[]

The major economic activity in the upper reaches of the Rajang River is logging. Among the type of wood that are extracted for exports are: Ramin, plywood, Kapur, Meranti, Keruing, and Belian. Rice is the dominant crop among the middle part of the Rajang river. Trading of Engkabang fruits was prevalent in the 1970s. Other agricultural activities in the Rajang basin are: rubber and pepper cultivation, poultry domestication, and vegetables planting.[14][note 18]

Trade[]

The Rajang Port Authority in Sibu

Rajang Port Authority (RPA) is the main regulatory body to coordinate the trade activities of all the five river ports along the Rajang river. RPA serves to provide maintenance, adequate and efficient port services for all users of the ports. It is located at the Sibu port operation centre[33] Sibu and Sungai Merah can be assessed via a shorter route through Paloh river where the distances from the mouth of the river can be shortened to 82 km and 92 km respectively.[33] In the year 2012, RPA recorded a total revenue of RM 30.1 million[34] although its total cargo throughput went down from 5.0 million to 3.2 million tonnes from the previous year.[35] The 5 river ports along the Rajang river (arranged by their distances from the river mouth) are:[33]

  • Tanjung Manis (30 km, maximum Gross tonnage (GT): 32,000, mainly for handling logs and timber products)
  • Sarikei (49 km, maximum GT: 3,000, mainly for handling agricultural products and consumer goods around Sarikei area)
  • Bintangor (66 km, maximum GT: 2,500)
  • Sibu (113 km, maximum GT: 10,000, mainly for handling timber and agricultural products)
  • Sungai Merah (Near Sibu, 116 km, maximum GT: 2,500, mainly for handling fuel oil products)

Tourism[]

View of Rajang river during sunset on the Lanang bridge in Sibu

Pandaw River Cruise was started on 1 July 2009 in order to boost tourism activities along the Rajang River. It was a nine-day cruising starting from Express Wharf Terminal of Sibu to Pelagus Rapids Resort in Kapit. The tourists can go hiking and visiting long houses and towns during the ride.[36] However, this programme has been terminated in March 2012 because of logistical and operational difficulties.[37][38] During 2017 Visit Sibu Year, longhouse visits along the Rajang River was promoted as an ecotourism product. Crocodiles which are living by the river banks became the mascot for the event.[39]

Transportation[]

Ferry crossing the Rajang River in Bintangor.
Speedboats and longboats are common at Kapit wharf terminal.

The town of Sibu can be assessed by oceangoing vessels for 80 miles (130 km) while an additional 100 miles (160 km) of the river can be assessed by shallow-draft craft. The remaining parts of the river which leads into the Sarawak interior can only be assessed by small canoes.[12] Speedboats and longboats are the major form of transport between Kapit and Belaga. Transportation above Belaga to Balui River requires longboats.[30] Rajang River also serves to transport logs down the river.[30] Some areas in the interior are only accessible through river during the monsoon season. Meanwhile, for the towns located at the downriver, market merchants have to take care of their own belongings from being flooded.[14][note 19]

Water quality[]

Logging operations are rampant on the upstream of Rajang river. A major study conducted along the Rajang river from May to December 2004 found out that the main channel of the Rajang river was turbid except for smaller tributaries. The water transparency was about 4 cm to 5 cm at that time. Based on Taxonomic richness index, the stretch of upstream river between Kanowit and Belaga river is recovering from logging 15 to 20 years ago with the exception of Penaan river because the local community uses toxic chemicals to capture fish. The stretch of river downstream from Lebaan to Selalang river is considered unclean.[40]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 3
  2. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 3
  3. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 94
  4. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 1
  5. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 94
  6. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 2
  7. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 3
  8. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 94
  9. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 3
  10. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 5
  11. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 93
  12. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 7
  13. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 93
  14. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 93
  15. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 8
  16. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 93
  17. ^ Hon Kah, 1996. Page 191-195
  18. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 13-15
  19. ^ Richard C, 2010. Page 9

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ Rajang Batang (PDF). Hydrology and Water Resources Research Laboratory, Kyoto University. 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  2. ^ (PDF) https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/6e6a61f5-0d9f-405c-9631-77aeedfab016/1/edwin_sia_thesis.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ (PDF) https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/6e6a61f5-0d9f-405c-9631-77aeedfab016/1/edwin_sia_thesis.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.researchgate.net/publication/317140380_Riverine_carbon_fluxes_to_the_South_China_Sea_Riverine_carbon_fluxes_to_the_SCS. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ (PDF) https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/6e6a61f5-0d9f-405c-9631-77aeedfab016/1/edwin_sia_thesis.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ Rajang Batang (PDF). Hydrology and Water Resources Research Laboratory, Kyoto University. 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ Rajang Batang (PDF). Hydrology and Water Resources Research Laboratory, Kyoto University. 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ Rajang Batang (PDF). Hydrology and Water Resources Research Laboratory, Kyoto University. 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  9. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330227105_Impact_of_peatlands_on_carbon_dioxide_CO2_emissions_from_the_Rajang_River_and_Estuary_Malaysia. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330227105_Impact_of_peatlands_on_carbon_dioxide_CO2_emissions_from_the_Rajang_River_and_Estuary_Malaysia. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ (PDF) https://bg.copernicus.org/preprints/bg-2018-391/bg-2018-391-manuscript-version3.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d Rajang River Encyclopædia Britannica. URL assessed on 2 September 2012
  13. ^ Tropical River Fisheries Valuation: Background Papers to a Global Synthesis. WorldFish. 2008. pp. 218–. ISBN 978-983-2346-61-6.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Richard C, Filder (2010). Kanowit: An overseas Chinese community in Borneo - Chapter 1: Location and setting - The river (First ed.). Sibu, Sarawak: Sarawak Chinese Cultural Association. p. xi. ISBN 978-983-9360-46-2.
  15. ^ a b "Sarawak place names". Rough Guides. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Sibu Mascot". Sibu Municipal Council official website. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  17. ^ Chris Rowthorn; Muhammad Cohen; China Williams (1 June 2008). Borneo. Lonely Planet. pp. 185–. ISBN 978-1-74059-105-8. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Hon Kah, Fong (1996). A History Of The Development of Rajang Basin in Sarawak. Dewan Suarah Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia: The cultural heritage committee. p. 489. ISBN 9839920715. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  19. ^ a b c Yumi, Kato (8 December 2016). "Resilience and Flexibility: History of Hunter-Gatherers' Relationships with their Neighbors in Borneo". Senri Ethnological Studies. 94: 177–200. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  20. ^ "ESSCOM: Learning from Sarawak's experience". Sin Chew Jit Poh. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  21. ^ Genta, Florence (13 June 2013). "Recognising Rascom's roles". New Sarawak Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  22. ^ Hii, Philip (9 October 2010). "50km logjam on the Rajang river". The Star (Malaysia). Star Publications. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  23. ^ "In the Future There Will Be No Forests Left (page 16-17)" (PDF). Global Witness. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  24. ^ Peter, Sibon. "NREB to come up with comprehensive report on logjam — Controller". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  25. ^ "Ships, boats need to be extra careful on swollen sungai rajang". 2020-09-07. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  26. ^ "Second flash flood in a week for Kapit, water levels higher than before". Malay Mail. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  27. ^ "Receeding[sic] water level at Rajang brings respite". 2020-09-08. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  28. ^ Chua, Andy (23 August 2021). "Sarawak govt urged to probe Rejang logjam after pollution shuts down Sibu's water treatment plants". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  29. ^ a b Tuen, A.A (2004). "A Faunal Study of Rajang River Basin" (PDF). Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak). Retrieved 5 June 2014. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  30. ^ a b c Parenti, L. R.; Lim, K.P. (2005). "Fishes of the Rajang Basin, Sarawak, Malaysia" (PDF). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 13: 175–208. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  31. ^ Stephen, E. S. "Breeding The 'King' Of Sarawak Rivers". Bernama. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  32. ^ Chua, Endy (4 January 2011). "The lure of the empurau". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  33. ^ a b c "About Us - Operation centres". Official website of Rajang Port Authority. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  34. ^ "More revenue for Rajang Port Authority despite lower throughput". The Borneo Post. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Port Performance Statistic". Official website of Rajang Port Authority. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  36. ^ "900 sign up for Rajang luxurycruis e (subscription required)". New Straits Times. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  37. ^ Hii, Philip (21 March 2012). "After its final Rajang tour, RV Orient Pandaw will be deported to Myanmar". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  38. ^ Tan, Raymond (27 December 2011). "Cruising into the sunset". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  39. ^ Banji, Conny (25 February 2016). "Rajang River a tourist attraction, says Andrew Wong". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  40. ^ Long, S.M. (2010). "Macrofauna of Rajang River, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo". Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation. Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. 7: 11–30. Retrieved 5 June 2014.


Coordinates: 2°07′47″N 111°13′09″E / 2.12972°N 111.21917°E / 2.12972; 111.21917

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