PART 2/2 : STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AT BETONG. (6 PICTURE)

By October 2011, the population was nearly 94,000, the majority being Ibans (51,290), followed by Malays (37,283), Chinese (5,084), Bidayuh (225), and Melanau (219), while the remaining are other races.

As a way to ensure the development of human capital to meet the demands of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and other major projects in the State, major investments are made in the development of educational facilities like vocational schools and polytechnics. This is expected to encourage more local and foreign investors to come to Betong and explore opportunities they never knew Betong had.

In recognition of Betong’s rich history, rapid growth and contribution to Sarawak's economy, it was accorded Division status in 2002. It was then selected to become the administrative division centre. The areas of administration include the Saratok District and the Betong District. Betong has also been expanded to cover the Small District of Maludam, which had been under the jurisdiction of the Sri Aman District. Betong is acknowledged by many as the place where the earliest educated Ibans can be found. This paved the way for Ibans in other areas to also educate themselves.

Here is a picture that was captured by myself around Betong City.

The shop owner is talking to a customer in his store. Certainly the shop owner is a Chinese but he can speak fluently in Iban languages.

An old man was sitting in a park in the middle of the market. Maybe waiting for someone.

Visible a woman with her child through a market that was destroyed in the fire a few months ago.

An old man who is also a shop owner is looking at his outdoor shop next to the burned shop as shown above

An employee at a clock shop is trying to repair a broken clock