History

Sibu is an inland town, and the capital of Sibu District (229.8 square kilometres) in Sibu Division, Sarawak, east Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, some 60 kilometres from the ocean.

Sibu is one of the most bustling towns to be found in East Malaysia. Originally, Sibu was called "New Foochow". The population is dominated by Chinese especially the Fuzhou as well as indigenous Melanau, Malay, and Iban.

In the early 20th century, the immigrants that came from Fujian, China’s province, first settled in Sibu. This was done after an invitation from Rajah Charles Brooke. At that time, there were many ethnic groups who emigrated from China at that time. These immigrants included Heng Hua, Hokkien and many others. They have contributed a lot to a positive change in Sibu as they put a lot of effort into making a Sibu a greater place. The new settlement was located next to Melanau village that was first established in the 1850’s.

The Rajang River was becoming bustling with economic activity and this meant that Sibu had a very important role in the Brook administration that was a trading center between the vast upriver hinterland and the coast. This important role of the town is held even now.