Sebauh

Demography

The population of Sebauh sub-district (year 2000 census) was 21,754. Despite being almost equivalent in size of land and population to Tatau District, Sebauh has yet to be upgraded to become a full district of Bintulu.

Ethnics

Sebauh Sub-District is home to Iban, Chinese, Melanau, Malay and Ulu people. Most Ibans are scattered throughout rural areas of Sebauh, namely in Pandan, Labang, Tubau and Kakus. Melanau people (or Melanau Bintulu/Vaie people) are concentrated at Sebauh town and rural communal areas, namely at Pandan and Labang. Many Malay people are not originally from Sebauh, however, intermarriage with locals especially Melanau people has made Malay as one of the major ethnics in Sebauh. Chinese people are more concentrated at Sebauh town, while some reside in the rural areas of Kuala Kebulu and Jelalong. Orang Ulu people, such as Kenyah, Kayan, Tatau, Penan and Punan are more scattered throughout Sebauh Sub-District compared to Iban people. Most of them still live in rural areas like Kakus and Jelalong.

There is an influx of foreign worker population due to timber logging and timber products industry. Most of these foreign workers are from Indonesia.

Economy

Agriculture is a major part of the economy in Sebauh with oil palm, rattan and pepper the main products. Around 70% of Sebauh people are involved in agriculture, and 25% in the timber industry. Deposits of coal have been discovered, but are yet unexploited.

Transportation

The Pan-Borneo Highway did cut through Sebauh Sub-District. However, the road to Sebauh town branches out from this highway at around 30 km from Bintulu town, with another 25 km going inside from the junction. There is a shuttle bus operating for Sebauh-Bintulu route by Jepak Holding. Private vans and four-wheel drive vehicles go to parts of Sebauh sub-district which are accessible by road.

People who wish to travel to upriver areas which are inaccessible by road such as Jelalong, Pandan, Labang, Kuala Kebulu and Bukit Balai, use ferry and boat services. River transport charges remain high in Sebauh District due to the long distance involved.

There are some rural areas which are accessible by timber tracks and palm estate roads such as Labang, Tubau and Kakus. Availability of transports to these areas are limited through bookings at Bintulu town, using private vans or four-wheel drive vehicles.

Infrastructure

Sebauh Sub-District is moderately served with electrical and water supplies. Pan-Borneo Highway is a trunk road linking Sebauh sub-district to the rest of Sarawak. Telecommunication and internet services are limited in Sebauh, with cable lines as the only source of broadband access.

Education

There is one secondary school for Sebauh Sub-District. There are 11 primary schools, scattered throughout Sebauh sub-district. Some of them are located in the sub-district's interior to cater for rural students.

Healthcare

Sebauh Sub-District has three healthcare clinics - at Sebauh town, Labang and Tubau. These healthcare clinics are operated solely for cases which can be handled by medical officers, not necessarily needing a general practitioner. Ambulance services are available to transport patients with critical illnesses to Bintulu Hospital.

Security

Sebauh Sub-District has police stations and police bits located at communal areas and Sebauh town. Like the rest of Bintulu Division, there are no military camps for Sebauh Sub-District.

Government services

Government offices have set up their branches in Sebauh such as Education and Agriculture.