Living in Bintulu
Sarawak: Climate, Religion, Culture and Languages.
;newWindow.document.open();newWindow.document.write('<HTML><TITLE></TITLE><BODY bgcolor=#FFFFFF LEFTMARGIN=0 TOPMARGIN=0 MARGINHEIGHT=0 MARGINWIDTH=0 onKeyDown=\'k=event.keyCode;if(k==13||k==27||k==32)window.close()\'><div style=\'width:100%;height:100%;overflow:auto\' onClick=\'window.close()\'><IMG SRC=\'/media/locations/malaysia/bintulu/aa_bintulu_town_airpicture.jpg\' WIDTH=1047 GALLERYIMG=no HEIGHT=583 ALT=\'\' TITLE=\'\'></div></BODY></HTML>');newWindow.document.close();newWindow.focus();)
Security, Safety and Health care.
Sarawak
Climate
The climate is hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures range between 29-32 time of year. The humidity is usually high reaching 95+ %. The main monsoon is from October to February but it rains more or less throughout the whole year, mainly at night. Tip: see daily Bintulu weather reports and satellite pictures:http://weather.yahoo.com and http://asia.cnn.com/WEATHER/
Religion and Culture
East Malaysia (Sarawak and Sabah) is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Around 25 different ethnic groups live here in harmony. Sarawak's population consists of three major groups: Chinese (30 %), Malay (mostly Muslim) (20%) and indigenous people (Dayak) ( 30%), the largest group being Iban.
Places of Worship
In Bintulu there is several mosques and suraus (smaller places of worship for Muslims), churches (e.g. Catholic, Methodist) and Chinese temples.
Public holidays
All these different groups have many occasions to celebrate. In addition to public national holidays, each state also has its own holidays. The most important festivals/public holidays are:
Suggested reading: Culture Shock Malaysia and Borneo (Heidi Munan)
ISBN 981 204 197 4 and 981 204 245 8
Language
Several languages are spoken in Sarawak. Bahasa Melayu is the official language. English is widely spoken. There are also many Chinese dialects and other indigenous languages in use.
Moving
Air and sea freight
Sea freight can arrive within two months from Europe and within weeks from other Asian countries as Bintulu is a major container port. Sea freight comes via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. On arrival the container is normally opened and examined by customs with the owner of the goods and usually the representative of the local mover being present. To cover the first period without your sea freight, we would like to recommend what to put in your air freight. Of course this is very personal, but in general it is useful to bring: hobby material, toys for children, your favorite music (and portable CD player), PC , plenty of books for yourself and the kids. (See also item: Newspapers/Books) and your coffee maker and some coffee (unless you like instant coffee like Nescafe).On arrival
In the beginning of 2003 the new Bintulu Airport has opened, it is now possible to fly directly from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu. When travelling with children the trip can be quite tiring, so a stop over in Kuala Lumpur may be a good idea. It takes approximately 30 minutes from Bintulu airport to Bintulu town. You will be met at the airport by a company representative and taken to a hotel, guesthouse or directly to your house, depending on the housing situation and the company you have come to work for. Colleagues and OUTPOST BINTULU have been informed about your arrival so they will be available to show you around. Basic maps of the town and the housing area will be provided as well as the latest expat telephone list and the Bintulu Information Guide.Banking
There are good local banks. E.g. Maybank, Bumiputra Commerce Bank, HSBC (Hongkong & Shanghai Bank). Most payments can be done with a chequebook. ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) is widely available. With your foreign (Cirrus) bankcards you can withdraw money using ATM. Some bills (telephone, TV, water, electricity etc.) can be paid at the local post office, as long as it is done before the "pay before date". Electronic banking is becoming more common, also to pay bills. It may be necessary to transfer money from your base country to Malaysia or to obtain a loan from a local bank. There is no problem in transferring money to and from your base country. An international credit card may be obtained through your Malaysian bank. Credit cards are not widely accepted in shops and restaurants in Bintulu, but are accepted in larger Malaysian cities (e.g. Kuching or Kuala Lumpur). You 'll obtain a bankcard issued by the bank of your choice to be used at their ATM to withdraw money from your account and for identification at the counter.(Tele)Communications
Telephone and fax facilities are well established in Sarawak. Telekom Malaysia submits a monthly bill that can be paid at the post office. Telephone calls to the home country are very expensive, but there are cheaper ways to communicate with your loved ones back home e.g. by using internet programs. You pay far less than the Telecom price. However the sound quality is not as good as a conversation in the conventional way. One can purchase prepaid telephone cards to call abroad (e.g. DiGi, I-Talk or Flexicall). Rates vary between RM 0.50 - 0.88 in stead of RM 4.50 for a normal telephone call. (RM 3.60 in the weekend). Hand phones are also widely used and there are mobile phone and gadgets shops all over town. It is possible to change the local network (e.g. Celcom) SIM card to a SIM card of e.g. the Netherlands for use when on leave. Email and Internet are widely used. There are various computer shops in Bintulu where you can buy hard- and software and apply for your internet account. Jaring is the most widely used provider, Streamyx is also popular (TMnet Streamyx is a high-speed access service which provide 'always on' connection to the internet with speed/bandwidth from 384k up to 100Mb/s). Bintulu also has a few Internet cafe's (very handy for the first days or weeks if you do not have your computer yet). Some expatriates use the office addresses (P.O. Box) for receiving private mail. Depending on your company though, mail send to your house address may arrive faster.Back to top
Housing
Housing types
There are several housing estates in Bintulu where expatriates live. Please refer to the Human Resources Department of your company to find out about their current housing procedure. In the Kidurong area there are two housing areas Taman Matahari and the "so called" MLNG Housing. MLNG expats live in Taman Matahari housing as well as in MLNG Housing. SMDS expatriates usually stay in Taman Matahari. Closer to town there is a fairly new housing area called Sanctuary Villas. Double storey houses with a veranda are common. Most of them have 3 bedrooms with air conditioning units and large built in wardrobes. The floors are either tiled or parquet. The household items provided depends on the company you have come to work for, but usually a washing machine/dryer/freezer/dishwasher etc., has to be bought by the occupant of the house and is readily available in Bintulu (good brands).
The gardens around most of the houses are large. There are several good nurseries nearby. Most people employ a gardener to cut the grass and do the heavy work.
The rainwater drains (ca. 30cm deep) around the house are usually uncovered, so if you have young children, it is recommended to have either a fencing installed around the patio and or have wooden, iron grids made locally, to cover the drain.
;newWindow.document.open();newWindow.document.write('<HTML><TITLE></TITLE><BODY bgcolor=#FFFFFF LEFTMARGIN=0 TOPMARGIN=0 MARGINHEIGHT=0 MARGINWIDTH=0 onKeyDown=\'k=event.keyCode;if(k==13||k==27||k==32)window.close()\'><div style=\'width:100%;height:100%;overflow:auto\' onClick=\'window.close()\'><IMG SRC=\'/media/locations/malaysia/bintulu/aa_smds_housing_ss1_a.jpg\' WIDTH=700 GALLERYIMG=no HEIGHT=466 ALT=\'\' TITLE=\'\'></div></BODY></HTML>');newWindow.document.close();newWindow.focus();)
SMDS SS1 house
Furniture You can bring your own furniture with you if the allocated house is not furnished. For information on furniture see sections below.
Locally available furniture
There is quite a good selection of furniture for sale, but locally made settees, chairs and beds tend to be too short (for Western people). Some shops import European furniture (Miri or Bintulu). It is better to bring furniture from your home country to fit your own size and style.
There is a good choice of bookcases, desks (nice modern ones), desk chairs, salon tables, music cabinets etc. Wooden patio furniture can be bought , or made locally. You can have anything made out of beautiful wood, but it may take some time. A limited choice of imported furniture can be bought at some furniture shops.
There is a rattan factory where you can have beautiful cane furniture made. They do a very good and fast job and will make anything from bars/barstools/beds/dining tables and chairs/terrace sets/cupboards, baby high chairs and storage boxes etc. Bring a picture from a magazine as an example and they will manufacture it for you.
In Miri (approx. 3 hours drive), there is a larger choice of furniture shops.
Curtains and carpets
You can buy good quality, reasonably priced curtain material in Bintulu (for a whole house approx. RM 10,000.00 for material, making and hanging, plus some venetian blinds). A lot of fabric is imported from Europe. Modern designs are difficult to find though. The measurements are taken exactly so no material is wasted. Your curtains are usually ready within two weeks. Venetian blinds are also available in different colors and sizes, in wood or aluminium.
Carpets are available, most are of oriental style. Wall to wall carpeting can be bought, but this is not advisable in a hot sticky climate. If you prefer modern style carpets, you should bring these in your sea freight. Preferably in a larger size e.g. 3 x 4 meters as the living rooms are very spacious. For more information on importing NEW goods, please refer to our Inside Guide available from your local Outpost Network Center or contact us.
Lighting
It is wise to bring an assortment of lamps (for wall, table, hanging and standing) with you, because there is a limited selection of modern lamps available locally, can be bought in Miri and Kuching. Light bulbs, including energy saving ones and spotlights, are readily available, soft-tone ones are hard to find.
Electrical appliances
Numerous appliances including TV, video (multi-system) VCD and DVD player, stereo,
HI-FI equipment, world receiver, washing machine, dryer, freezer, computer, fax machine, etc. can be bought in Bintulu.
Bread making machines, and yogurt makers are sometimes available, but can be expensive. Generators, high-pressure water jets, grass mowers and other tools of good quality (Makita, Kärcher, Bosch) can be bought here and are reasonably priced. (Your gardener usually brings his own lawn mower).
Washing machines (either top loading without heating or front loading with heating) are readily available in Bintulu. Western brands are not cheap, but the advantage of buying here is that you don't have to wait for your sea freight to arrive and you have the after sales service provided by the shop nearby. Asian brands are very reasonably priced. In case you decide to bring a machine or appliance from your home country, be aware that if it breaks down, it may be difficult to have it fixed here as it may be difficult to get hold of spare parts.
For an indication on prices of white goods, please contact OUTPOST BINTULU.
The same goes for computers and computer equipment. There are varies computer shops in town that can order e.g. Acer or Packard Bell computers. Computers can also be ordered via Dell computers.
Electricity and gas
The local voltage is 220 - 240 Volt, A.C. 50 cycles, three phases. The plugs are of the British type with 3 thick prongs containing a fuse of usually 13 Amp.. Adapters can be purchased. Cooking is done by propane gas from LPG cylinders.
During thunderstorms, power surges may occur. Fortunately most houses have a circuit breaker in the fuse box usually located outside the house. Surge protectors for TV, hi-fi, computer equipment are available here.
Children
School
For the latest schooling info please contact Outpost
Bintulu directly. The Kidurong International School can be contacted by email:
Kidurongschool@live.com
There is an expatriate school for children of Shell employees, the Kidurong International School. Occasionally, expatriate children of other companies are admitted, but this is subject to permission of the School Board and the availability of places.
The Kidurong International School is facing the South China Sea on the grounds of the Kidurong Club. Most pupils live in the Kidurong housing area, some 3 km away from school. Parents normally drive their children to school, some are using a car pooling system. Besides the normal curriculum subjects, there are compulsory swimming lessons and non- compulsory after school activities. No uniform is worn. Children can enter the Kidurong International School at the start of the term in which they reach the age of 4. All children will leave school when they have completed Primary 8 (normally at 12 years of age).
An Kidurong International School handbook is published at the beginning of each academic year (September). This handbook contains all necessary information relating to the school.
Kidurong International School playground
;newWindow.document.open();newWindow.document.write('<HTML><TITLE></TITLE><BODY bgcolor=#FFFFFF LEFTMARGIN=0 TOPMARGIN=0 MARGINHEIGHT=0 MARGINWIDTH=0 onKeyDown=\'k=event.keyCode;if(k==13||k==27||k==32)window.close()\'><div style=\'width:100%;height:100%;overflow:auto\' onClick=\'window.close()\'><IMG SRC=\'/media/locations/malaysia/bintulu/aa_osa_playground.jpg\' WIDTH=700 GALLERYIMG=no HEIGHT=466 ALT=\'\' TITLE=\'\'></div></BODY></HTML>');newWindow.document.close();newWindow.focus();)
Babies
Many brands of nappies are available, including Pampers and Huggies. Good baby products are available from Johnson & Johnson and some Asian brands. A variety of baby wipes can be found including small size and (most of the time) full sized 'Pampers' type.
There is a variety in brands of powdered milk for sale, such as Frisolac, Snowbrand, Nestlé etc. Nutrilon is not for sale here. Contact OUTPOST BINTULU if you need to check about a particular brand. The equivalent of Dutch porridge type Bambix or Brinta is not for sale, although oatmeal- and ricefour porridge is available. If you bring your own porridge, you can store it in the freezer for a long time.
Baby cots (including mattresses) are available. Stair gates are not sold in Bintulu, but you can easily have one made, or you may find one for sale in Miri.
A baby alarm/intercom may come in handy. They are not sold in Bintulu, but can be bought in Miri. Bring one (or two if you have more small children!) in your airfreight.
Prams and strollers are available in Miri (Mothercare or Toys World, different brands, also possible to order). The climate and lack of sidewalks does not always tempt one to take a walk with the pram, but it is handy for short walks to your friends’ houses and necessary for travelling. Good (baby/child) back carriers cannot be bought in Sarawak.
High chairs are on sale, mostly plastic or rattan ones.
Baby car seats can be found in some shops in Miri (e.g. Chicco, Maxi Cosi). But it is advisable to bring your own. Booster seats are not sold in Bintulu, but occasionally in Miri.
Toys
There are several toy shops in Bintulu but there is not a wide selection of good quality toys (compared to Europe, US or Australia). Little Tikes and Step 2 toys can be ordered from Glory Bakery(!) The prices are about 2.5 times the price you would pay in Europe. So if you have some space left in your sea freight, think ahead and buy some bigger toys for the future or for special occasions like Sinterklaas, Christmas, Birthday etc. Some ideas: slide, little car, tractor, play kitchen, play house, good tricycle etc. A limited selection of Lego and Duplo is available in Miri. Toys World (Miri) also sells Fisher Price and some other well known brands. And also at Parkson & Grand you may find these brands. You can have a locally made wooden swing installed in the garden, or have a doll’s pram made at the rattan factory. Children's bikes are readily available and cheap.
Healthcare and Safety
Security and Safety
In general, Sarawak is a very safe country to live in and enjoy. But as in any country, when going on leave, inform your neighbours or have an alarm system installed. For personal safety, standard precautions apply, such as: lock your doors even when at home, lock your car doors when driving etc.
Road safety
Driving is on the left side of the road. Some of the roads are not of the quality you might be used to. There is slow moving traffic on the road. Sometimes there are no walkways and often people cross and walk along the road (where you are allowed to drive 90 kms per hour!). Also the rules of the road (official or practical) might be different from what you are used to. A warning for non-British people: bear in mind that a different (the British) rule of right of way is applied to T-junctions.
Health Care
Health wise Sarawak is a good place to live. Water is safe to drink straight from the tap. However it is strongly advised to buy bottled water or a water filter for your tap.
Officially there are no malaria cases and it is not necessary to take anti malaria drugs. Good care is taken when one makes a jungle trip by using insect repellent and protective clothing. There is the occasional case of dengue fever. In the rainy season when there are more mosquitoes than usual, a fogging / fumigating program is undertaken with petroleum gasses blown into the gardens. This kills the mosquitoes and their larvae living in stagnant water. When people are sitting on the terrace at night, it is advisable to burn mosquito coils.
Occasionally there can be an exceptionally long dry spell. At times bush fires occur, which result in an increase of the content of airborne particles and a strong smell. In such situations the public is advised to lessen their outdoor activities until the air is cleared.
Bintulu has a modern hospital. It is a bit understaffed, so if one needs to be hospitalized and needs special care, one goes to a hospital in Kuching, Miri, KL or Singapore.
There are several private doctors/clinics in town. There is a very well stocked pharmacy (Pharmacy Ling), but if you have to take medicines on a daily basis, it is advisable to bring at first a good supply with you. It is possible to order your brand/kind of medication (or equivalent) if it is not in stock/available here.
Specialists can be consulted in Bintulu town on a regular basis. You can ask your doctor about their visiting schedules. Maternity care is available from (the Shell approved) clinics as long as it is normal routine ante-natal care. Usually women prefer to go to Dr. Mattu (Columbia Asia Medical Centre) in Miri, unless referred to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur by the specialist.
Eye care and optical supplies
There are several good opticians, and frames and glasses are cheap. Contact lenses are available and so is the lens fluid. Do not hesitate to contact us to check if your brand is available. There is also an eye specialist clinic on a permanent basis. Eye lasering can be done in clinics in Kuala Lumpur.
Dental care
There are 2 good dentists (Dr. Ting and Dr. Moh). They work in a very hygienic way and have very modern equipment. You can have implants done for fixing dentures.
Shopping
Shopping
Shops in Bintulu have all the ‘basics’ you require. The range of imported food products varies with the size of the expat community. However, expatriates with a medium frame and above are advised to do their shopping for clothes and shoes in Kuala Lumpur or in their base country as they may not find the sizes they need here. Staff with children should bring lots of quality toys and books since the choice of those is limited in Bintulu.
A detailed map with the major shops is available from OUTPOST BINTULU on arrival. Some shopkeepers adapt well to the expatriate needs. The types of products on the shelves change according to the nationalities present. There are too many shops to mention here. If you want any specific info on availability of certain items, please email to OUTPOST BINTULU:outpostbintulu@hotmail.com
Alcohol
There is no restriction on buying alcohol, however it can only be bought at certain shops. Beer (Tiger, Heineken, Carlsberg, Anchor, and Guinness) is widely available. The following liquors are easily available: Brandy, Cognac, Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Tequila, Coffee Liquor, Martini, and Baileys. So is the local rice wine "Tuak'.
Newspapers
English language Local and National Newspapers available are: Star, Mirror, New Straits Times, Borneo Post. These keep you updated of what happens politically and socially in Malaysia and some have quite a good section of international news (Borneo Post).
There are no foreign newspapers available. Usually expats read the news via email or internet. Apart from the late delivery and high postal costs there is no problem to subscribe to your own national newspaper and magazines. However magazines are regularly screened for pornographic contents and may not escape this examination unscathed.
Stationery
A lot of shops sell stationery, magazines (some English language e.g. Australian Womans Weekly and Cosmopolitan Asian Edition) and newspapers. They do sell art materials. There is a very limited supply of good (water colour) brushes. Only recently good water colour paper can be ordered from Kuala Lumpur. In general: bring your own supply of paper/canvas, brushes, kneadable rubber and paint if you like painting.
TV and Video
Most expatriates have a satellite dish installed (ASTRO) to receive a wide range of channels. There are several packages to choose from. To mention a few channels (apart from the Malaysian channels): CNN, CNBC Asia, Discovery, National Geographic, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, MTV, ESPN, Star sports, HBO, Star movies and Cinemax. It is also possible to receive several radio stations via the dish playing classical music, hardrock, easy listening, golden oldies etc. The TV system used is PAL or multisystem.
VCD/DVD's are widely available from numerous shops (also originals). There are also shops that rent out VDC's and DVD's. In bigger towns, like Miri and Kuching there is a larger choice of movies and cartoon videos. The video system used is VHS, but VCD/DVD/MP3 players are easily obtainable.
You can bring VCD's/DVD's/videotapes with you, as long as there is no 'pornographic' content. Blank videocassettes of well-known brands can be bought easily here and so are recordable CD's and DVD's.
Craft (needlework) equipment
DMC yarn is for sale and is extremely cheap. Patterns are for sale but it is better to bring the ones you like.
Transport
Cars
In general new cars (left hand gearing), which have been assembled locally, are reasonably priced. Imported cars like Honda or Mitsubishi Pajero are more expensive.
Second-hand cars are quite expensive. It is advisable to bring a recent original (copies not accepted!) No Claims Certificate. There are no restrictions for women to drive here. It is possible to learn to drive and obtain a Malaysian drivers' license. There is a special driving school circuit.
In Bintulu there are several dealers like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Perodua and Proton. Almost all dealers are conveniently located in each others vicinity.
Driving license
All people driving in Malaysia are required to have a valid driving license. This can be a Malaysian domestic driving license, a foreign driving license or an international driving permit. A foreign driving license can be used in Malaysia for as long as it is valid. As there is no reciprocal agreement between the UK and Malaysia on the automatic conversion of driving licenses, British applicants normally have to undergo a Malaysian driving test. For more information please refer to our Inside Guide.
Car Rental
Car rental is available at e.g. Kong Ban Hing (Parkcity) or from the car dealers. The costs depend on the car chosen and is based on hourly or daily rates, subject to negotiation.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful, at least in town, and fares are inexpensive. From the new airport it is RM35.00 to the Kidurong housing area. Taxi coupons have to be bought at the counter in the arrival hall. Ordering a taxi from your house is easy and quite reliable. Most people ask the hand phone number of a taxi driver, so you can always phone the same person.
Public Bus
To take the bus is very cheap and fairly reliable (RM 1.00 from Kidurong Housing Estate to Bintulu; 80 sen to the Main Post Office). The bus to Miri & Sibu costs RM 20.00 one way, RM 40 two way (air-conditioned bus). The trip to Miri takes about 3 ½ hrs and to Sibu about 3 hrs. There are several buses stationed at Medan Jaya which provide trips to Miri/Sibu/Kuching/Sarikei etc.
River transport
Locals also travel by express boat via the Kemena River to their kampongs (villages) and longhouses. River transport is the life line for the these people. It is nice to do a sight seeing trip on the river. Express boats going upriver leave from the jetty in town regularly. Charter boats are available for one-day or overnight trips.
Air transport
Malaysian Airway System, MAS, runs an extensive air network within Sarawak. Airfares are cheap and there are regular flights out of Bintulu to Sibu, Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (direct) etc. Air Asia now operates from Bintulu too (flights to Kaula Lumpur).
Cycling
The climate and road condition are not really suitable for long bicycle rides, but it may be nice to ride in the housing area with either a mountain bike (available here at low prices) or a ‘standard’ bike (available, cheap, but poor quality). Good children’s rear attaching bike seats are available, but at a relatively high price. Children’s bicycles are available, but quality (and price) is lower than in many other countries. Only bicycles with handbrakes are on sale, and not with back-pedal brake.
Parking
Parking coupons must be used to pay for parking in certain areas. Coupons can be purchased at several yellow-coloured booths in town (e.g. Medan Jaya and near the market). Observance of the use of coupons is controlled by parking officers. Fines must be paid at the yellow counter within three days. Parking is free on Sundays, holidays, Saturday after 1 pm and on weekdays after 5 PM.
People and Pets
Expatriate community
At the moment approx. 50 expatriate families stay in Bintulu. Nationalities present are e.g. : Dutch, British, Japanese, Italian, South African, Indian.
Domestic staff
Most people employ an amah (cleaning lady / helper). Salaries vary between RM 500.00-1000.00 per month for half day or live-in amah. For expats with young children a live-in amah can be very useful (having someone to baby sit available at all times). Sometimes it can take a while to find the right person if you want a live-in amah, but most people succeed in finding a trustworthy and English-speaking maid. By spreading the word among amahs or friends, you will always find someone.
The salary of a gardener ranges between RM 40.00- 60.00 for 3-4 hours.
What to wear
In this tropical climate it is best to wear natural materials like cotton or linen. Bring along a good supply as in this climate several changes may be needed daily. When attending a Malay (Muslim) party, it is preferable to wear long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt, and modest clothing is appreciated when going to town, but generally people are pretty relaxed about what people wear. Occasionally a dinner/dance party is organized where formal attire is appropriate.
Basic children’s clothes are available, but sizes tend to be smaller to suit the Asian market. Good quality children’s clothes can be bought in Miri, but you may want to bring some clothes with you, taking into consideration the growth of your children. Remember that clothes will be frequently washed and fade easily in the sun.
Leather children's shoes are not available in Bintulu (you can find them in Miri, Kuching or Kuala Lumpur) so bring shoes for children along in your freight. Flip flops and cheap plastic shoes are readily available.
Larger (western) size clothes, both men and ladies are available in Miri but not easily available in Bintulu. It is also advisable to bring underwear (mainly padded bra's are for sale), cotton socks, swimwear, shoes etc. from your homecountry. However there is constant improvement (Giordano and Underworld in Medan Jaya shopping centre).
If you are thinking of taking a holiday in cool areas, e.g. a skiing holiday in New Zealand, bring some woollies as well. You may need a woollie on the plane or at Kuching airport where the air-conditioned departure room can be exceptionally cold at times!
Dressmaking
There are two shops in town that have a reasonable selection of fabrics. The material varies in quality and style. Usually, you have to be lucky to find some nice cotton fabric, linen is sometimes available. In Miri and Kuala Lumpur a wider selection of fabrics is available. You can bring cotton or linen material from home if you like sewing or would like dresses to be made locally and also some good (basic) patterns, as these are not for sale here. Most fabrics on sale are synthetic. There are many dressmakers in town, and it is best to ask around for a good one. It is generally very inexpensive to have something made.
Laundry and Drycleaner
Dry cleaners and laundries are available in Bintulu.
Hairdresser and Beautician
There are many hairdressers in town. Cosmetics can be bought in Bintulu, although the choice is limited (Bodyshop). For skincare e.g. Nivea Q10 facial cream is sold and also the products of L'Oreal and several other brands, but if you prefer a particular brand (e.g.Clarins), bring a good supply from home. Good perfumes are hard to find here. Hair dyes of the blonde kind, can be found occasionally, but you are never sure of continuity or availability of a certain shade. If you dye your hair regularly it is better to bring a supply from your home country.
Employment and Study Opportunities for Spouses
It is legally permissible for expatriate spouses to take paid employment on the local market, provided local people are not available for the specific job requirements. A work permit is a must and you are required to pay Malaysian tax. You must be sponsored by the employer. So in other words, first you need to find an employer, who will then help to obtain a work permit, which may take 6 to 12 months.
In the past, only a few spouses have taken up paid employment. You have to realize that if you are working for a local company the amount of leave you get might not be the same as that of your spouse, working as an expatriate. If you aim to work here, take appropriate actions to officially translate certificates into English in advance.
It is also possible to study 'via the internet'. Check universities or other organisations in your home country for information on this. For Shell spouses: if you want more information on this subject please contact either: Outpost Bintulu or Global Outpost Services (The Hague).
Visitors
It is no problem to receive visitors. They just have to make a long trip to see you. Some need a visa , others don’t, this depends on nationality. Let them check with their travel agent for correct up to date information. They can drive in Sarawak (bring an International Driver’s License).
Pets
It is very difficult, expensive and complicated to import a pet. Most animals, like cats and dogs, require a quarantine period of 6 months in Miri/Bintulu (government kennels) before the animal is allowed to live in Bintulu (exceptions are pets that stayed 6 months in Britain, New Zealand or Australia). The nearest quarantine station is 10 km from Bintulu on the Miri road. Borneo does not have rabies, so the main concern is to keep the island rabies free.
Please refer to our Inside guide Bintulu for further details regarding importing and transporting of your pet.
It is easy to get cats and dogs of a local breed. Occasionally pedigree dogs and cats are for sale in Bintulu and Miri. Also available are aquarium fish, guinea pigs, birds etc. Dog- and catfood can be bought at any supermarket.
Veterinarian
There is an official veterinary clinic in Bintulu, Alliance Veterinary Clinic, with 3 veterinary surgeons. For vaccinations and other minor treatments you can also visit the Department of Agriculture.
Leisure
Sports
The Kelab Kidurong (Kelab means club) is a private club which has tennis, squash, badminton, basketball, takraw, snooker, swimming and gym facilities. The club is open to different categories of members. As MLNG operates the club, it is open to MLNG staff. SMDS and SSB are corporate members so all staff may join the club.
Kelab Golf Bintulu has an 18-hole golf course. A joining fee (life membership) is chargeable. Sometimes there is a special joining fee for Shell expatriates, which is worthwhile to request for. There is no waiting list. A professional golf teacher is employed.
Both clubs are a 5 minutes drive from the Kidurong housing area and 10 minutes from Sanctuary Villas. It is also possible to subscribe to the facilities of the Park City Everly Hotel, which include a swimming pool and a modern gym.
There are some other sports facilities mostly used by locals but also open to foreigners. The facilities are: an all-weather athletic track, football and hockey fields, squash, basketball and a swimming pool. There are also tennis, squash and badminton courts, basketball, takraw, hockey, football and rugby fields.
Social activities
Aside from membership of the various sports clubs, staff and their spouses can also participate in clubs such as Rotary or Lions.
Expatriates will receive the monthly telephone list where all activities organised for and by expats are listed. (Having Email is essential to be kept up to date). Some of the current activities organised by volunteers are listed below, but as with all expat communities they are under constant change along with the residing expatriates.
There is a social committee called "3 Degrees North". It is a non-profit body organising activities for the expatriate community throughout the year. They organise different activities such as yearly parties like Halloween, Dutch night, Thanksgiving party, Christmas Carols, Children's Beach party, 4 x 4 Wheel Drive Family Hash, Progressive Dinner.
Hobbies
Not everything for each hobby is available locally. It is easy to find badminton and tennis equipment (but not always large sized sports shoes) in Bintulu; but if you love watercolour painting, you have to bring your paper, paint and good brushes with you. Material for cross-stitch is available, but diving equipment needs to be ordered from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Horse riding can only be done in Kota Kinabalu; equipment is hard to find. If you have a particular hobby and you would like to know what is available in Bintulu, don't hesitate to contact OUTPOST BINTULU , as it is impossible to list all available hobby material here.
For children the school organises after school activities with the help of volunteers. Such activities vary but to give an idea: arts and craft, baking, dancing etc. It is possible to take piano lessons from a local teacher (also for adults!). In Bintulu one can buy or rent a Piano. Piano's can also be bought in e.g. Miri. Other things organized locally are e.g. children's crafts, ballet, swimming training.
Hotels
There several good hotels in Bintulu, such as Parkcity Everly Hotel and Plaza Hotel.
Restaurants and Food
Western cuisine is available in the above mentioned hotels and in several other restaurants and cafes in Town. There are many Chinese and Malay restaurants ranging from simple stalls to air-conditioned restaurants, serving delicious local food.
Fast food
There are some typical fast-food restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sugar Bun and Pizza Hut.
Night Life
The main hotels have bars often providing live music played by bands from e.g. Kuala Lumpur/Sarawak and the Philippines. Apart from these hotels, there are also a number of bars with discos and/or karaokes round Bintulu town. There is one Cineplex movie theatre at City Point in town (original soundtracks in English language).
Recreation
Tanjung Batu, Tanjung Kidurong, they are popular spots for picnics with a scenic view of the sea. Expatriates usually gather at a beautiful beach a bit further away (20 minutes drive) on the way to Similajau National Park. Very strong , big and good quality beach umbrella’s with stand are for sale in Bintulu, so are cool boxes (Coleman) and cool packs. Barbecue sets can be bought locally and are of the simple type that you can throw away after using them several times. The more sophisticated ones with a gas bottle, for the patio are not for sale in Bintulu, so if you like to BBQ seriously bring one with you.
There is also a bird park and a small zoo in a beautiful landscaped area at Tanjung Batu. BDA (Bintulu Development Authority) has provided a jungle tracking area for those who are interested in tracking.
Day trips
Half an hour from the Kidurong housing area is Similajau National Park, one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Malaysia. Miles of unspoiled white and golden beaches are fringed by unique geographical characteristics rich in flora and fauna. The Park covers an area of about 7,067 hectare. Several trails have been set up to enable visitors to trek in the forest. One can also rent a boat and travel up the coast for about an hour and a half to a beautiful unspoiled beach.
There are two roads out of Bintulu. The south-west one takes you over the Kemena Bridge, and after about 1 hour on good road, you reach Tatau. This is a pleasant old kampung spread out beside the Tatau River: express boats can take you downstream to Kuala Tatau, or upstream to Kakus.
A further 3 hours drive brings you to Sibu. This road continues to Kuching (total trip Bintulu-Kuching about 10 hours). The north-east road to Miri is about 2.5 hours journey. This is the way to the famous Niah National Park, an easy one-day trip from Bintulu. Niah is one of Sarawak's smaller national parks, but certainly one of the most important. The Park's main claim to fame is its role as one of the birth places of civilization in the region as the oldest modern human remains have been discovered in the Niah Caves. Also it is famous for their bird nests (for soup!) and they are still being gathered by local people, climbing high bamboo poles to reach them. The Park has a visitor centre and a hostel and chalets are available at the park for those who want to stay overnight. About 1 hour journey from Batu Niah towards Miri, you will reach Lambir Waterfall. There you can also stay overnight in a chalet.
Miri is also the stepping stone in your travel to the world famous MULU caves. from Miri you can fly to the interior and visit these caves that have been explored by National Geographic Society. The cave system is huge and one of the longest in the world.
Travel agencies
There are a few good travel agents in Bintulu where you can book flights and trips.
A lot of information about this area can be found on the internet. See for instance the following links:
http://www.sarawaktourism.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/south_east_asia/malaysia/malaysia.htm
http://www.sarawak.com.my/arts/darrell
And check out the website of the other Borneo Outpost Network Centres :
Outpost Miri : http://www.hornbill.bizland.com/
Outpost Brunei : http://www.outpostexpat.nl/brunei.html
Other publications of Outpost Bintulu:
Further reading:
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei ISBN 0 86442 618 6
Insight Guide Malaysia
Culture Shock Malaysia and Borneo (H. Munan) ISBN 981204 197 4
The Malay dilemma (Mahatir Bin Mohammed)
The white rajahs of Sarawak (R. Payne) ISBN 019 582 687 6
Into the heart of Borneo ( Redmond O' Hanlon) ISBN 90 295 3532 6
Bring from home list
What people bring from their home country after a home leave.
It is all very personal, but it may be helpful to know. Most goods can be found in Kuala Lumpur, Miri, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or ordered from Australia.
Please contact us if you want to know the availability of any products!
General
From the Netherlands
From Australia
From Japan
Tax Free Shopping
Have a look at: http://www.intdist.nl