#15 Miri, Sarawak



Division: Miri, Sarawak
Towns in the division: Miri & Marudi
Last time I was there: August 2023

The story:
If you know me, you’ll know that I once lived and worked in this beautiful part of Sarawak back in 1996–97, during my stint in the judiciary. So yes, Miri will always have a special place in my heart. Chewah!

But let me tell you a story about Marudi -- a small town about 70km from Miri. Back then, there were just two of us serving as magistrates in Miri, and part of our duties included sitting as circuit court judges in outlying towns, Marudi included, once a month.

At a long house in Marudi


There were no roads linking Miri to Marudi in those days. You either took a boat -- a two-and-a-half-hour journey -- or flew in on a MAS Twin Otter. The town itself was so small you could walk from one end to the other in about ten minutes.

National newspapers arrived a day and a half late, and there were only two decent hotels in town. That detail became relevant on one particular trip.

I can’t even remember what the case was, but I had sentenced an accused person to a term of imprisonment. After proceedings, I returned to my hotel as usual. Later that afternoon, I received a call from the reception desk. They informed me that the accused’s father was downstairs and wanted to see me. Somehow, they had figured out where I was staying.

Naturally, I told reception that I was not allowed to see anyone outside of court -- and gently scolded them for revealing my whereabouts. I don’t think I stepped out of that hotel again until it was time to return to Miri. Room service it was, all the way!

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