Bekenu

Bekenu
Bekenu
Coordinates: 4°03′N113°51′E / 4.05°N 113.85°E / 4.05; 113.85
Country	Malaysia
State	Sarawak
Elevation	10 m (33 ft)

Bekenu (also known as Bekenu Bazaar or Bakenu) is a small fishing town near Miri, in Sarawak, Malaysia. ^[1] Bekenu bazaar is the capital of the Sibuti subdistrict, Subis district, Miri Division. ^[2]

Etymology

Oil palm branch is the symbol of Bekenu town. ^[3]

History

Along with parts of present Sarawak, Bekenu was a territory under the jurisdiction of the Brunei Empire from the 12th century until 1883, when the people in Bekenu rebelled against Brunei Empire and the rebellion cause the Sultan of Brunei (Sultan Abdul Momin) to ceded the Baram region (including Bekenu) to Charles Brooke. ^[4]

Administration

Subis district council administers the Subis district, which consists of two subdistricts, namely Sibuti subdistrict and Niah-Suai subdistrict. The council is located within the Bekenu bazaar. ^[2]

Geography

Bekenu experienced floods in February 1966, January 1967, January 1972, January 1981, ^[5] June 2020, ^[6] October 2021, ^[7] October 2022, ^[8] and January 2023. ^[9]

The most serious flood in Bekenu was in 1962 when shops were flooded up to the first floor and people had to be rescued by fishermen in rowing boats. ^[10]

Town and villages

Neighbouring settlements include:

• Kampung Kuala Satap 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) north
• Kampung Lusong 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) north
• Kampung Jangalas 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) northwest
• Kampung Ajau 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) northeast
• Kampung Tengah 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) west
• Kampung Sinop 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) east
• Kampung Padang 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) north
• Kampung Sungi Tiris 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) south
• Kampung Teris 4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest

Economy

Shophouses in the Bekenu town.

Bekenu is known as the "fruit belt" for the city of Miri. There is a coconut plantation at "Rancha Rancha" and a herb plantation at Kampung Terahad. Examples of herbs that are planted are lemon grass, ginger, turmeric, shallots, and chilies. ^[11]

Shophouses in Bekenu town conduct various businesses such as coffee shops and selling groceries, food, and farming equipment. ^[12]

Attractions and recreational spots

Bekenu Esplanade park near the Sibuti river.

Tusan beach signage.

The town has a central market and a riverbank esplanade park. ^[13] The town square faces the Bekenu river, and many of the shophouses date from the 1930s. ^[10]

Tusan Beach is located nearby the town. ^[14] Since 2015, the "Blue Tears" phenomenon caused by Dinoflagellate bioluminescence can be seen at Tusan beach. ^{[15] [16]} The iconic rock formation that resembles "horse head drinking water" was collapsed in 2020. ^[17] Other rock formations at the beach are "Lion head" and "Baby Drinking Horse Head". ^[14]

State constituency

Main article: Bekenu (state constituency)

References

1. "Bekenu, Malaysia". Geonames. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
2. "Latar belakang Majlis Daerah Subis (Background of Subis district council)". Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
3. Shazreena Ali, Nur (9 January 2021). "Hidden gem of Bekenu". New Sarawak Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
4. "Chronology of Sarawak throughout the Brooke Era to Malaysia Day". The Borneo Post. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
5. "Recorded Flood Events in Sarawak (1946 - 1996)". Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
6. "Continuous heavy rain causes flash floods at 5 villages". The Borneo Post. 9 June 2020. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
7. Toyat, Jude (29 October 2021). "Bekenu villages hit by floods, water level up to three feet". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
8. Toyat, Jude (24 October 2022). "Flood victims at Bekenu community hall increase to 28". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
9. Ringgit, Margarett (4 January 2023). "245 villagers in Bekenu affected by floods". New Sarawak Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
10. "Sarawakiana@2: Bekenu : Where traditions remain" . Retrieved 2011-01-01.
11. Kiew, Philip (21 October 2020). "Rosy outlook for Bekenu agro-tourism". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
12. Yi, Chang (22 January 2017). "Bekenu's last shophouses face imminent demolition". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
13. "Majlis Daerah Subis". 2008-02-22. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
14. "Take a walk at Tusan beach to marvel at nature formed structures - Ting". Dayak Daily. 4 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
15. "Tusan Beach a stunning open secret in Miri". The Borneo Post. 21 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
16. Ee Vei, Chong (22 November 2016). "Blue Tears & Bioluminescence phenomenon back again in Miri!". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
17. Laeng, Jenifer (22 February 2020). "Tusan Beach's famous 'Horse Head Drinking Water' rock formation collapses (Video)". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2023.