Not many people are aware of how most of the streets and roads in Sarawak got their names.
Most of the names were only given many years after the towns and cities were founded. Each name bears a unique story and historical background.
The founding of the cities and towns of Sarawak
Kuching, the capital city dates back to 1841, about the time of Sir James Brooke’s arrival. The other towns were only built after various territories were ceded to Sarawak by Brunei.
It also became a custom during Brooke’s time that a fort be built whenever a new town was established. Fort Lili in Betong was established in 1858, Sibu’s Fort Brooke in 1862 and Sri Aman’s Fort Alice in 1864.
Bintulu was acquired by the Brooke family in 1861 and soon became an established town despite being a fishing village with a population of not more than 5,000 people at that time.
Fort Hose in Marudi was built in 1891 but it was the oil drilling in 1901 that changed the face of Miri forever.
Roads named after historical figures
Jalan Muda Hashim, Kuching – This road is named after Pengiran Muda Hashim, the uncle of Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifudin II.
Pengiran Muda Hashim or Raja Muda Hashim was sent to Sarawak in 1835 to pacify the country. Trouble was brewing as an anti-Brunei force led by Datu Patinggi Ali went up against Pengiran Indera Mahkota, Sarawak’s governor at that time.
Jalan Badruddin, Kuching – Pengiran Badruddin was Raja Muda Hashim’s half brother. Badruddin was said to be a man of his word and full of integrity.
James Brooke took a liking to him the instant they met and they became good friends.
Brooke had even given Badruddin his signet ring to wear and told Badruddin that should he ever be in danger, to send the ring as a sign of trouble and he will come to Badruddin’s rescue.
The two had fought the rebellion together side by side bravely. Soon after Brooke became Rajah, Badruddin was recalled to Brunei. The Sultan was not happy with him being Brooke’s loyal supporter. A plan to murder him and his whole family was made.
On the night of April 5, 1846, Badruddin’s house was surrounded and attacked. Luckily, Badruddin managed to get one of his help Japar to send the ring to Brooke but Badruddin and his family all died that night.
Japar managed to escape but instead of running away, he fired a keg of gunpowder and blew all of them sky high.
Most of the names were only given many years after the towns and cities were founded. Each name bears a unique story and historical background.
The founding of the cities and towns of Sarawak
Kuching, the capital city dates back to 1841, about the time of Sir James Brooke’s arrival. The other towns were only built after various territories were ceded to Sarawak by Brunei.
It also became a custom during Brooke’s time that a fort be built whenever a new town was established. Fort Lili in Betong was established in 1858, Sibu’s Fort Brooke in 1862 and Sri Aman’s Fort Alice in 1864.
Bintulu was acquired by the Brooke family in 1861 and soon became an established town despite being a fishing village with a population of not more than 5,000 people at that time.
Fort Hose in Marudi was built in 1891 but it was the oil drilling in 1901 that changed the face of Miri forever.
Roads named after historical figures
Jalan Muda Hashim, Kuching – This road is named after Pengiran Muda Hashim, the uncle of Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifudin II.
Pengiran Muda Hashim or Raja Muda Hashim was sent to Sarawak in 1835 to pacify the country. Trouble was brewing as an anti-Brunei force led by Datu Patinggi Ali went up against Pengiran Indera Mahkota, Sarawak’s governor at that time.
Jalan Badruddin, Kuching – Pengiran Badruddin was Raja Muda Hashim’s half brother. Badruddin was said to be a man of his word and full of integrity.
James Brooke took a liking to him the instant they met and they became good friends.
Brooke had even given Badruddin his signet ring to wear and told Badruddin that should he ever be in danger, to send the ring as a sign of trouble and he will come to Badruddin’s rescue.
The two had fought the rebellion together side by side bravely. Soon after Brooke became Rajah, Badruddin was recalled to Brunei. The Sultan was not happy with him being Brooke’s loyal supporter. A plan to murder him and his whole family was made.
On the night of April 5, 1846, Badruddin’s house was surrounded and attacked. Luckily, Badruddin managed to get one of his help Japar to send the ring to Brooke but Badruddin and his family all died that night.
Japar managed to escape but instead of running away, he fired a keg of gunpowder and blew all of them sky high.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: The story behind the Sarawak’s streets and roads
ALSO READ: How places and villages in Sabah derived their names
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