Sarawak is a state of Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is located in the region of East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan to the south, and Brunei in the north. The state capital, Kuching, is the largest city in Sarawak, the economic centre of the state, and the seat of the Sarawak state government. Other cities and towns in Sarawak include Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. As of the 2020 Malaysia census, the population of Sarawak was 2.453 million. Sarawak has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. It has several prominent cave systems at Gunung Mulu National Park. Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia; Bakun Dam, one of the largest dams in Southeast Asia, is located on one of its tributaries, the Balui River. Mount Murud is the highest point in the state. Sarawak is the only state of Malaysia with a Christian majority.
The Ibans or Sea Dayaks are an Austronesian ethnic group indigenous to northwestern Borneo. The Ibans are also known as Sea Dayaks and the title Dayak was given by the British and the Dutch to various ethnic groups in Borneo island.
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. The name Bidayuh means 'inhabitants of land'. Originally from the western part of Borneo, the collective name Land Dayak was first used during the period of Rajah James Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak. At times, they were also lesser referred to as Klemantan people. They constitute one of the main indigenous groups in Sarawak and West Kalimantan and live in towns and villages around Kuching and Serian in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, while in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan they are mainly concentrated in the northern Sanggau Regency. In Sarawak, most of Bidayuh population can be found within 40 km of the geographical area known as Greater Kuching, within the Kuching and Serian Division. They are the second-largest Dayak ethnic group in Sarawak after the Iban and one of the major Dayak tribes in West Kalimantan.
Kuching Division is one of the twelve administrative divisions in Sarawak, Malaysia. Formerly part of what was called the "First Division", it is the center and the starting point of modern Sarawak. Kuching Division has a total area of 4,559.5 square kilometres.
The mass media in Brunei are strictly controlled by the government under Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, which has effectively imposed martial law in the country since the Brunei Revolt of 1962. News coverage consists of police-beat reporting, lifestyle features, and community events, with little in the way of diverse viewpoints. Reporters Without Borders reports there is "virtually no criticism of the government". The liberal democracy watchdog Freedom House lists Brunei's media as "not free".
Sarawak's population is very diverse, comprising many races and ethnic groups. Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. This makes Sarawak demography very distinct and unique compared to its Peninsular counterpart. However, it largely mirrors to other territories in Borneo - Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan.
Dewi Liana Seriestha is a Malaysian singer, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Malaysia World 2014. She represents her country at Miss World 2014 at London, England where she placed as one of the Top 25 quarter-finalist and also became the first Malaysian to win the Miss World Talent award.
Depha Masterpiece is a Malaysian rock musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer from Sarawak. He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the Bornean hard rock band, Masterpiece.
Masterpiece is an Iban rock band, which formed in 2003 as Masterjam in Sibu, Sarawak best known for its hit singles, "Sinu", "Kumang Seari" & "Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai". The band comprises vocalist Depha Masterpiece, lead guitarist Willy Edwin, bassist Watt Marcus, drummer Harold Vincent, keyboardist Valentine Jimmy and Roslee Qadir. The group was renamed Masterpiece in 2005 after Depha was hired as the band's new vocalist. Drummer Roni,guitarist Kennedy Edwin ,keyboardist Dellender Wilson and Timothy are former members of the band.
Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai is the fourth studio album by Malaysian rock band from Sarawak, the Masterpiece. The album consists of ten tracks and titled Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai reflecting the lead single title from the album. It was released on March 21, 2016 through Panggau Buluh Pengerindu in Sarawak and Johor. The album receiving the 'Album of the Year' award at the 2016 Dayak Music Awards while the lead single "Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai" has won the 'Song of the Year' award at the 2016 ACSJ Music Awards.
Sarawak Music Awards is a music award held in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is divided into three major events that are given the most attention by the fans, media, and record companies in Sarawak. Shortlisted as the Anugerah Musik Dayak (AMD) awards, Anugerah Juara Rentak Ruai (AJARR) awards and the Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara (ACSJ) awards. Presented by different organization dedicated to promoting the diversity of music in Sarawak and to acknowledging the talents and contributions of the local entertainer.
"Sinu" is a song by the Iban rock band Masterpiece. It was released in 2009 as the lead single from their first studio album, Merindang Ke Bintang. "Sinu" was Masterpiece's major single which helped to place them in the Sarawak music scene and the song has been recognized as one of Masterpiece's signature songs and has been covered on numerous occasions and shows. It was produced by Embat Lala, who produced the entire album under his record label, Panggau Buluh Pengerindu Records. "Sinu" has won the "Best Song" awards at the Anugerah Carta Rentak Ruai AJARR awards ceremony, represented by Cats FM on 21 May 2011 in Kuching, Sarawak.
Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai meaning "I hope you will come back" is a song recorded by Sarawak rock band Masterpiece. It was released in January 2015 as the lead single of their fourth album Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai. The song was released by Do Records Entertainment while the entire Ngarap Ka Nuan Nikal Pulai album was produced by Panggau Buluh Pengerindu Records on 12 March 2016.
Sarawak exhibits notable diversity in ethnicity, culture, and language. The Sarawakian culture has been influenced by Bruneian Malays of the coastal areas. Substantial cultural influences also came from the Chinese and British cultures.
Sarawakian cuisine is a regional cuisine of Malaysia. Like the rest of Malaysian cuisine, Sarawak food is based on staples such as rice. There is also a great variety of other ingredients and food preparations due to the influence of the state's varied geography and indigenous cultures quite distinct from the regional cuisines of the Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is famous for its multi-ethnic population. As the homeland of many unique communities, Sarawak has a variety of cuisines rarely found elsewhere in Malaysia. The uniqueness of Sarawak well depends on its ethnic groups. Every native group in Sarawak has their own lifestyle, traditions, cultures and also foods. Sarawak cuisine is less spicy and has a subtle in taste. It uses fresh seafood and natural herbs like turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, lime and tapioca leaves. These ingredients are not only easily available, but also add a hint of aroma, texture and freshness to the delicacies. Food is one of the most cultural identities for native groups in Sarawak with each ethnic group having their own delicacies. Among the Iban, popular foods include tubu (stems), tuak and pansuh. The Malay have bubur pedas (porridge) and kek lapis Sarawak ; the Bidayuh have asam siok and sup ponas Bidayuh. The Melanau make tebaloi, sagu and umai and the Orang Ulu are known for garam barrio, kikid (broth), tengayen, and urum giruq (pudding).
Siku Dalam Seribu is a song written by Depha Masterpiece and recorded as a duet between him and singer, Allyssa Joanne or better known as Lyssa Jean. The lyrics essentially describes about a woman who learned to accept and open up to a new relationship after being hurt. She was told by the man, that she may not be his first love, but he promised her solemnly that he will love her unconditionally.
Larissa Ping Liew is a Malaysian model, fashion blogger and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss World Malaysia 2018. She represented Malaysia at Miss World 2018 pageant, where she placed in the Top 30.
Miss Cultural Harvest Festival is a Malaysian ethnic beauty pageant held annually during the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival since 1999.
Miss International Sarawak 2023 was the 1st Miss International Sarawak pageant, which was held at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching on 28 July 2023.
