FREELITTLEBRAIN: Limbang slices one of the world's richest countries Brunei into two

Limbang Division, a division slices one of the world's richest countries Brunei into two; the product of the political action and historic consensus which resulted West Brunei to the west and Temburong District in the middle of Limbang and Lawas district.

Limbang is a border town and the major town of Limbang District in the Limbang Division. It located on the banks of the Limbang River in the North-Eastern Region of Sarawak, sharing the border with Miri, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei and Indonesia.

Administratively the region is divided into Limbang and Lawas district which cover an area of 7,790 square kilometers with a total population of 75,000 which comprises of the major ethnic groups are Melayu/Kedayan, Chinese, Lun Bawang and Bisaya.

Geographically, Limbang can be divided into 3 major natural regions, namely the coastal alluvial plain, the central undulating low land and rugged forested hinterland highlands. A bustling Malay water-village directly across river simply adds to the charm of the town. Three main rivers are Sg Limbang, Sg Lawas and Sg Trusan with theirs tributaries serving as the main transport of the areas.

Bukit Mas is a 210 m high jungle-clad limestone outcrop which dominates the Limbang town. There is a small Buddhist shrine halfway up the summit road. The summit offers excellent views of nearby Brunei and is accessible via a steep road leading off Jalan Pandaruan, or by foot via a long staircase leading from the Lake Garden at the eastern end of the town. Limbang is the starting and ending point of the Headhunter's Trail to and from Mulu National Park.

Logging in Limbang has been a significant contributor to the country’s economy historically; however some clear changes occurred currently with small holding agriculture, commercial plantation and commerce overtaking as the main economic contributor.

Due to high-valued currency unit and therefore the high purchasing power of Bruneians (the exchange rate is a Brunei dollar to RM2.20) besides its vicinity, Limbang is thus became the popular weekend destination among Bruneians since becoming part of Malaysia in1963.

In contrast, the vicinity of Brunei causes an increase in the capacity of the economy to market various consumer goods as well as services related to leisure and entertainment.

In fact, the richness of seafood, local agricultural produce and quaint Kedayan-Malay villages in Limbang are the main attraction for Bruneians as the Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei is just 45 minutes away.

The most popular items that are bought by Bruneians are ikan pahai, a type of smoked fish found only in Limbang, it is crispy and usually eaten with porridge; umbut, a type of jungle fern grown locally, best eaten with sambal belacan and kanji, a processed beef meat dish are the favorite buy . Another good buy is the fragrant Bario rice.

The Esplanade and bustling Tamu or wet market are the main attraction in Limbang. Some well-kept Malay and Chinese traditional villages along Jalan Pandaruan are listed as the key scenic area. Along the road towards the Brunei Ferry, delicious fresh swamp clamp are on sale by a number of Kedayan kampungs folks.

The annual Babulang Festival, a buffalo race celebrated by Sarawak's ethnic Bisaya community once a year in the nearby village of Batu Danau is the unique event that shouldn't be missed.

There are two ways get to Limbang, either by air or road. The quickest and most convenient way to travel from Miri to Limbang is by Maswings ATR aircraft made in Toulouse, France and time taken is 30 minutes. Alternatively, Limbang to Miri distance is 120 km by road passing though Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei and the time it takes to travel is 3 hours and 0.98 minutes. There are Express boat operating two trips daily, departing Limbang at 07:30 and 08:00; Labuan at 12:30 and 14:00.