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]
Bekenu | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Bekenu | |
| Coordinates: 4°03′N 113°51′E / 4.05°N 113.85°E | |
| Country |  Malaysia |
| State |  Sarawak |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
Etymology
editOil palm branch is the symbol of Bekenu town.[3]
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2023) |
Administration
editSubis 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
editBekenu experienced floods in February 1966, January 1967, January 1972, January 1981,[4] June 2020,[5] October 2021,[6] October 2022,[7] and January 2023.[8]
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.[9]
Town and villages
editNeighbouring 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
edit
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.[10]
Shophouses in Bekenu town conduct various businesses such as coffee shops and selling groceries, food, and farming equipment.[11]
Attractions and recreational spots
edit
The town has a central market and a riverbank esplanade park.[12] The town square faces the Bekenu river, and many of the shophouses date from the 1930s.[9]
Tusan Beach is located nearby the town.[13] Since 2015, the "Blue Tears" phenomenon caused by Dinoflagellate bioluminescence can be seen at Tusan beach.[14][15] The iconic rock formation that resembles "horse head drinking water" was collapsed in 2020.[16] Other rock formations at the beach are "Lion head" and "Baby Drinking Horse Head".[13]
State constituency
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bekenu, Malaysia". Geonames. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
- ^ a b "Latar belakang Majlis Daerah Subis (Background of Subis district council)". Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Recorded Flood Events in Sarawak (1946 - 1996)". Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Sarawakiana@2: Bekenu : Where traditions remain". Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Majlis Daerah Subis". 2008-02-22. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.