Sarawak Day 2025: Why 22 July Matters
- Chien
- Jul 2
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 2
🔍 At‑a‑glance
When: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
What: Sarawak assumes self‑governance on 22 Jul 1963 after 105 years of Brooke/British rule
Book direct: WhatsApp us for an extra 10 % discount
⚓️ How it began
In 1841 the Sultan of Brunei rewarded an adventurous ex‑naval officer, James Brooke, for quelling a local uprising by granting him sovereignty over the small district of Kuching. Brooke hoisted his own flag, adopted the motto “Dum Spiro Spero” (“While I breathe, I hope”) and became the first of Sarawak’s three “White Rajahs” - founding an independent kingdom that would last just over a century
🌟 Brooke timeline in a heartbeat
James Brooke (1841‑1868) – Ex‑naval adventurer quells piracy, plants yellow‑black flag, seeds Sarawak’s common‑law courts.
Charles Brooke (1868‑1917) – Expands borders, founds Council Negri (1867), builds forts, schools & clinics still used today.
Charles Vyner Brooke (1917‑1946) – Issues constitution, endures Japanese occupation, then cedes Sarawak to Britain - setting the stage for 1963 self‑rule.
🏛️ Heritage stroll – Brooke‑era landmarks in Kuching
The Astana (1870) – Former palace, now Governor’s home; snap golden‑hour photos from the Waterfront.
Old Courthouse (1871‑74) – Timber‑beamed halls turned cafés, craft stalls & Ranee Museum.
Fort Margherita (1879) – Riverside bastion with the Brooke Gallery; climb the tower for sweeping Kuching views.
Sarawak Museum – Old Wing (1891) – Oldest museum in Borneo; Queen‑Anne façade under loving restoration.
Brooke Dockyard (1912) – Vast riveted sheds, reopening late 2025 as a maritime‑heritage hub.
🔗 Ready to celebrate? Message us on WhatsApp for your direct‑booking rate, pack your patriotic spirit, and we’ll see you on 22 July—Selamat Hari Sarawak!
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