Introduction of Miri City

Miri the coastal city, lies 496 miles northeast of Sarawak’s capital Kuching and it is the 2^nd largest city of Sarawak. It borders Brunei Darussalam and is a short flight away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Sarawak and Sabah are the States of Malaysia which are located in Borneo Island.

In Year 1910, Malaysia’s first oilwell was drilled on the hilltop of the then Canada Hill in Miri. This oil well produced the first commercial oil for Malaysia and brought about petroleum industry and its supporting industries. Since then, a series of development took place which gradually transformed Miri now into the present modern and vibrant city.

The local authority in Miri formerly known as Miri Town Board was first established and began its operation in 1933. After several restructuring, it achieved its city status on the 20^th May 2005 and is renamed as Miri City Council.

Miri City Council has undergone many changes starting with the formulation of the Council’s Strategic Plan whereby it adopts a new Vision “The Most Liveable Resort City” with a new Mission on giving full commitment to manage Council’s resources efficiently and deliver quality services to the People of Miri. The other significant change is the formation of The Residents Committee (RC) of which it empowers the local residents to have more say on the running of their respective residential areas. They share the common objectives of the Council and serve as the Eyes, Ears and Mouths of the Council. Miri City Council is also the pioneer in setting up Local Agenda 21 Unit in the State to bring about sustainable development towards better living environment and green culture. The Council’s Local Agenda 21 Unit is the driving force of Miri City Council which spearheads “Say No To Plastic Bags” Campaign and “Say No To Styrofoam” Campaign with the mission of transforming Miri into a Green City.

With the great efforts of its leaders and people of Miri, Miri is now a cosmopolitan city with a population slightly over four hundred thousand. Miri is also home for 27 friendly ethnic communities including, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit as well as Malay and Chinese. The colourful mixture of races provides a rich cultural heritage. Such uniqueness is hardly can find in other major towns in Sarawak, It has become an attraction to the visitors apart from several places of interest like Miri City Fan Urban Park, The Grand Old Lady (Miri petroleum Science Museum), Tua Pek Kong, San Ching Temple, Tamu Muhibbah, Saberkas Weekend Night Market, Miri Handicraft Centre, Luak Bay Esplanade and the farther Tusan Beach with its iconic horse-shaped natural cliff formation. Miri City is also the destination of shopping expedition, food dining paradise with a good range of choices, entertainment outlets that provide all-night-long happy hours. The other equally great attractions to visitors are the nearby world-famous national parks awaiting for your adventure and exploration such as Gunung Mulu National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Niah National Park – Evidence of earliest civilization in South East Asia, Lambir Hills National Park – world’s most biologically diversed rainforest and Loagan Bunut National Park – largest natural lake in Sarawak

Miri City, which adopts Sea Horse as its mascot since 1994, is home to an international university, namely Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus and other education enterprise. Miri is also the development hub for other industries apart from oil industries. The ship-building, oil palm plantation, tourism related industries and light industry enterprise are also contributing to the vibrant economic atmosphere in Miri. The emergence of Marina Park City complete with Miri City Times Square is the avenue of commercial and recreational activities, is the notable addition to spur the vibrant economy of Miri City.   

Miri City Council, its local authority and the Mirians as its backbone is gearing to strengthen and accelerate the development and position Miri as the most progressive city in northern Sarawak which will further bringing in higher income and better quality of life to Mirians both in the urban and rural areas of Miri City.