Simanggang

Simanggang is a town and the capital of Sri Aman District and Sri Aman Division in Sarawak, east Malaysia. Located on the Lupar River, it is 193 kilometres (120 mi), a three-hour drive, from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. It is a trade center for the timber, oil palm, rubber, and pepper of its mostly agricultural district.

Simanggang
Aerial view of Simanggang and Lupar River
Nickname: 
Benak Town
Simanggang
Location in Malaysia
Coordinates: 1°14′7″N 111°28′11″E
Country Malaysia
State Sarawak
DivisionSri Aman
DistrictSri Aman
Division Office LocationSri Aman
Local area government(s)Sri Aman District Council
Population
 (2015)
  Total102,092
Postal code
95xxx
International dialling code prefix+6083 (landline only)
PresidentAnthony Abell Chendan
Websitewww.sriamandc.sarawak.gov.my
Sri Aman District Council

Majlis Daerah Sri Aman
Type
Type
History
Founded10 February 1963
Preceded byBatang Lupar District Council
Leadership
President
Anthony Abell Chendan
District Secretary
Tay Guan Huat
Motto
Berkhidmat
(Service)
Meeting place
Peti Surat 78, 95007 Sri Aman, Sarawak.
Website
sriamandc.sarawak.gov.my

Simanggang is famous for the benak, or tidal bore, of the Batang Lupar River. The tidal bore comes in from the river mouth and fills up the river very rapidly in the course of about 10 minutes. The wave crest at Simanggang is up to two to three metres (7 to 10 ft) high. This is one of approximately 48 rivers and estuaries in the world where this phenomenon happens. What is special about Simanggang's benak is that it occurs every day, the only river in the world that does that.

There is a timetable at the river which has the time and dates for when the tidal bore will occur, but the really big ones occur only a couple of times a year. The author Somerset Maugham almost died at Simanggang during one of these tidal bores, an event commemorated the event in his short story The Yellow Streak.

Simanggang is also a gateway for tourists to the Batang Ai National Park, and cultural tours to the Iban longhouses along the rivers.

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