Long Lama is a town in Marudi District, Sarawak state in Malaysia.[1] The town is located at 143 km from Miri with a population of 1,500.[2]

Long Lama
Long Lama is located in Borneo
Long Lama
Long Lama
Long Lama is located in Malaysia
Long Lama
Long Lama
Coordinates: 3°45′52″N 114°24′14″E / 3.76444°N 114.40389°E / 3.76444; 114.40389
Country Malaysia
StateSarawakSarawak
DivisionMiri
DistrictMarudi
Elevation
49 ft (15 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total37,082 [1]
Time zoneUTC+8 (Malaysia Standard Time)

Etymology

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The name of the town is taken from a nearby river named "Lamah" that joins into the Baram River. The word "Long" is a Kayan word that means "estuary", so "Long Lama" means "estuary of Lamah river".[2]

History

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The Chinese first set foot in this town between 1905 and 1910 and built several shophouses for trading.[2][3] Long Lama was connected to water supply in 1976 and electrical supply in 1986.[2] Cable telephone was only connected in 1990.[2] Ferry services transporting cars across the Baram River started in 2002.[2]

Geography

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The town is located at 160 km away from Mulu National Park.[2] Long Lama was submerged in four feet of water during Baram River flood in May 1962.[4]

Climate

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Long Lama has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round.

Climate data for Long Lama
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.0
(86.0)
29.9
(85.8)
30.5
(86.9)
31.0
(87.8)
31.3
(88.3)
31.2
(88.2)
31.0
(87.8)
30.9
(87.6)
31.0
(87.8)
30.6
(87.1)
30.6
(87.1)
30.4
(86.7)
30.7
(87.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.6
(79.9)
26.5
(79.7)
26.9
(80.4)
27.3
(81.1)
27.5
(81.5)
27.3
(81.1)
27.1
(80.8)
27.0
(80.6)
27.2
(81.0)
26.9
(80.4)
27.0
(80.6)
26.8
(80.2)
27.0
(80.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.2
(73.8)
23.2
(73.8)
23.4
(74.1)
23.7
(74.7)
23.8
(74.8)
23.5
(74.3)
23.3
(73.9)
23.2
(73.8)
23.4
(74.1)
23.3
(73.9)
23.4
(74.1)
23.3
(73.9)
23.4
(74.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 333
(13.1)
240
(9.4)
281
(11.1)
284
(11.2)
323
(12.7)
279
(11.0)
230
(9.1)
283
(11.1)
340
(13.4)
381
(15.0)
369
(14.5)
406
(16.0)
3,749
(147.6)
Source: Climate-Data.org[5]

Economy

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In 2017, there were 26 shophouses running various businesses such as groceries, coffeeshops, and hotels.[2]

Other utilities

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SMK Long Lama, built in 1965, is the only secondary school near the town. It caters to Form 1 to Form 6 classes.[2]

The first Chinese primary school in Long Lama was built in 1939, named as "Tong Ya" primary school. However, it was forced to shut down during Japanese occupation. Second Chinese primary school was built in 1947, named SJK (C) Kee Tee.[3]

Transportation

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In the early days, Long Lama can only be connected to the outside world by Baram River. The boats from Long Lama need to make a stop at Marudi and Miri before traveling to Sibu, which would take a total of three days.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Long Lama (Marudi, Sarawak, Malaysia) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Plain and simple life in Long Lama town". The Borneo Post. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b Laeng, Jenifer (22 July 2020). "Family bears witness to progress in remote Long Lama". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Recorded Flood Events in Sarawak (1946 - 1996)". Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Climate: Long Lama". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 29 October 2020.