page_title: Rajang River
section_title: Course
hierarchical_section_title: Rajang River / Course
caption_attribution_description: English: Sibu Rajang river view from the Tua Pek Kong temple.
context_page_description: The Rajang River is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. The river is located in northwest of Borneo. The river originates in the Iran Mountains, flows through Kapit, and then towards the South China Sea. At approximately 565 km long of total length, it is the 4th longest river in Borneo, and the longest river in Malaysia.
  Some of the important tributaries are the Balui River, Katibas River, Ngemah River, Iran River, Pila River, Balleh River, Bangkit River and the Kanowit River.
  Malaysia's largest and tallest hydro electric project, Bakun Hydro Electric Dam Project, is located on narrow Bakun Fall of Balui River.
context_section_description: The Rajang river is the longest river system in Malaysia, measuring 350 miles (560 km). Its headwaters is located in the Nieuwenhuis mountains where it forms the political boundary between Malaysia and Indonesia. There is more than 160 inches (410 cm) of rain fall each year on the Nieuwenhuis mountain range, which forms the headwaters of Rajang. The river flows from northeast to southwest. The Punan Bah people are staying at the headwaters of the Rajang. One of the Rajang tributaries, the Balui River, located at the north of Hose mountains, flows into the lands of the Kayan people and Kenyah people. There is also a great bend of the Rajang river in this region. At the western end of the great bend lies the Belaga District. Going further downstream is the Pelagus Rapids where the Iban people dominates. The Pelagus Rapids is located at 180 miles (290 km) from the Rajang river mouth. As Balleh River from the south of Hose mountains joins with the Balui river, the Rajang river become broader and deeper. The broader part of the Rajang river hosted about 25% of the people of Sarawak. It is also at this intersection point, about 160 miles (260 km) from the river mouth, the river started to flow from east to west. At this point, there is a town known as Kapit. Kapit is the last stop of express boats coming from Sibu. The town of Kapit is inhabited by the Chinese, Iban, and Kayan people. Kapit is the biggest town in the upper Rajang river.
  Further downriver are the smaller towns such as Song which is located at the mouth of the Katibas River. At about 120 miles (190 km) from the sea, there are Mixed Zone Lands. These lands can be owned both the Chinese and the Iban people. The lands are divided into parcels measuring several acres, where smallholders clear the land for agricultural activities. In the midst of these Mixed Zone Lands at 105 miles (169 km) miles from the sea, there is a town named Kanowit. The river near Kanowit is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide.
  The biggest town by the river is Sibu, some 65 miles (105 km) upriver from the mouth of the Rajang. It can be reached by ocean-going vessels. Sibu is the political, economic, cultural, and education centre of the central region of Sarawak. Other towns which are located further downriver are Sarikei [24 miles (39 km) from Rajang town] and Bintangor.[11 miles (18 km) from Sarikei]. These two towns are mainly settled by the Chinese. Tanjung Manis District [16 miles (26 km) from river mouth] is located near the Rajang River delta where the Malay and Melanau people dominates. Bruit Island is situated inside the Rajang delta, with a light house at the Sirik Point. The Rajang delta is bounded between the Igan town in the north and the Rajang town [4 miles (6.4 km) from the river mouth] in the south.
caption: Sibu is located at 105 km from the river mouth
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