Song, Malaysia
Song | ||
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Postal code 96850 | ||
Website | www |
Song (Malay: Pekan Song) is a town, and the capital of the Song District (3,935.2 square kilometers) in Kapit Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. The district population was 20,046 according to the 2010 census.[1] Song is situated by the banks of the Katibas River, a tributary of the Rajang River. It is an important stopover for river traffic going up the Rajang River.
Etymology
The district was originally named by the Kayan people as long which means river stream. After the Kayan people was defeated by the Iban people, the Ibans decided to rename the place after an Iban warrior named Song who led them to victory against the Kayans. Another version of the origin of the name Song came from the legend of the Melanau people. There was once a Melanau widow named Song who came from Nangka village, Sibu. She went to the present day Song river mouth for agriculture. Her relatives would frequently visit her. When they ask her which place she would like to go, she would said "to Rumah Song " (her own home). Thus the area is called Song since then.[2]
History
The Kayan people were the first group of settlers inhabited the Song District. At that time, the Kayans were the nomadic people. At the same time, the Iban people migrated from the present day Kalimantan, Indonesia and settled near the banks of the Katibas River (located in the Song District) in order to find land for farming. However, conflict between the Kayan and the Iban people soon grew into a war and the Iban people won. Accepting defeat, the Kayan people then migrated to Belaga District.[2]
The Malays and the Chinese first arrived in Song District in the 1800s. They built wooden shophouses with
During the Japanese occupation, both Allied and Japanese bombings destroyed many of the buildings in the village. Many residents fled Song due to the war. The town became chaotic during the war and its people endured harsh Japanese administration. During this time, the Chinese started to build the first primary school in Song. After the war, the British colonial government gave Sarawak dollars to residents of Song to rebuild their homes. In 1948, the fort at Nanga Song was moved to Nanga Katibas (mouth of Katibas river). Thus, the administrative centre at Song river was effectively moved to Katibas river. The Chinese also restarted their businesses in Song after the war.[2]
During the British colonial era, the Sarawak Natives Affairs Department was established in 1955. Michael Sardin became the first native officer. During the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, Song sub-district office was the operational centre to repel Indonesian military crossings of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. After the formation of Malaysia in 1963, William Linang became the first Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO) in Song. On 2 April 1973, Kapit was upgraded to division. At the same time, Song sub-district was upgraded into a district. In 1977, the administrative centre of Song was moved from the fort at Katibas river to the town centre.[2]
Government
Song District Office governs an area of 38,934 km2.[3]
Geography and climate
Song is one of three districts located within Kapit Division. The other two districts are: Kapit District and Belaga District. Rajang River is the main river crossing the Song District. Other rivers that cross the district are: Katibas river, Song river, Iran river, Manap river, Lajan river and Lijau river. These rivers are the main transportation routes for Song residents. 90% of the Song district is covered with uneven highlands,[3]
Demographics
In 2010, Song District had a population of 20,046.[1] The Iban people accounted for 80% of the district population, followed by Chinese, Melanau people, Malay and Bidayuh.[3]
Economy
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Transport
There are hourly express boat services connecting
. The express boats services are provided frequently at Song Wharf Terminal.However, a plan to build roads connecting Song to Kapit and Song to Kanowit was promised by the Federal Government and was announced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia during his visit to the town on 15 April 2011.
The bus express of Sibu-Song-Kapit is available since 2022.
Bus Express
Operating Route | Operator | Remark |
---|---|---|
Sibu-Kapit | Kapit Bus Express, BusAsia,
Lanang Bus |
Other utilities
Education
Secondary Schools:
- SMK Song
- SMK Song 2
- SMK Katibas
Primary Schools :
- SK (C) Hin Hua
- SK(known as SRB Cardinal Vaughan Song)
- SK Nanga Beguang
- SK NangaTemalat
- SK Nanga Bangkit
- SK Ulu Melipis
- SK Nanga Selibut
- SK Tan Sri Datuk Temenggong Jugah
- SK Nanga Nansang
- SK Nanga Musah
- SK Nanga Janan
- SK Nanga Engkuah
- SK Nanga Embuau
- SK Nanga Dalai
- SK Nanga Nyimoh
- SK Lubok Ipoh
- SK Lubok Bedil
Healthcare
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2018) |
Culture and leisure
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2018) |
References
- ^ a b c "Laporan Kiraan Permulaan 2010". Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia. p. 35. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Sejarah Daerah Song (History of the Song District)". Song Internet Centre. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "Demografi Daerah Song (Demographics of Song District)". Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018. Alt URL