Bintulu

From Free net encyclopedia

Bintulu is a coastal town, and the capital of the Bintulu District (7,220.4 square kilometers) in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is about 650 kilometers from Kuching and about 215 kilometers from either Sibu or Miri. The ethnic composition is primarily Iban, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, and a large number of foreign workers.

Bintulu was annexed as part of Sarawak by Rajah James Brooke in 1861. A memorial near the town center commemorates Sarawak's first State Council (Majlis Negeri), held in 1867. Until the 1960's Bintulu was primarily a port for the fishing and the timber trade, with the Kemena River providing access to the sea for the timber cut from inland forests. Since that time, Bintulu has developed into a major petroleum center servicing both onshore and offshore operations.

Bintulu has the world's single largest natural gas processing plant which is owned by Malaysia Liquified Natural Gas Corporation (MLNG), a subsidiary of the government-owned oil corporation Petronas. The main economic activities of Bintulu are centered on the oil and gas industry and the Bintulu Port which is Malaysia's second largest port.

The town is also known for its shrimp paste or belacan. Most families make their own shrimp paste during the shrimp season. There are five secondary schools in Bintulu — SMK Bintulu, SMK Bandar, SMK Kidurong and a Chinese independent school.

Bintulu is a transit point for travellers visiting the Niah Caves National Park, or the Similajau National Park.

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