Exploring Limbang: A Guide To Crossing Borders From Brunei

Limbang is a district in the Sarawak State, East Malaysia, that divides Brunei's land into two separate parts. The district is accessible by road only through immigration posts in Brunei. There are two road border crossings in Limbang, both into Brunei: Pandaruan and Tedungan. Pandaruan is located 15km east of Limbang, while Tedungan is 43km west. It takes approximately 3 hours to travel from Limbang to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei by bus.

Calling Limbang from Brunei by bus

Limbang is a border town located in the northern part of Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It is known to be one of the most popular departure locations to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei. The journey from Limbang to Bandar Seri Begawan takes approximately 3 hours by bus and costs around RM40 for both adults and children.

The only bus operator that serves this route is Sipitang Express, which operates once daily at 2:30 PM. The bus departs from Limbang Station and arrives at Bandar Seri Begawan Station. It is important to note that this service is only available three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The journey takes about 35 minutes, and you can book your tickets online through platforms like Easybook.

Limbang is situated between the two halves of Brunei, and as the only road connection outside the district is through Brunei, one must have a passport to travel into or out of Limbang. There are two Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine Complexes in the Limbang district, both leading into Brunei.

The Tedungan checkpoint, located 43 km west of Limbang, corresponds to the Kuala Lurah checkpoint in Brunei. This crossing allows entry into the main part of Brunei from Limbang. The other checkpoint, Pandaruan, is located 15 km east of Limbang and enters Kampung Ujong Jalan in the Temburong district of Brunei. The Pandaruan Bridge, built in 2013, now facilitates river crossings, which were previously only possible using ferry services.

Limbang's location and its impact on transportation

Limbang is a small border town in East Malaysia, located on the banks of the Limbang River (Sungai Limbang in Malay) between the two halves of Brunei. It is the capital of the Limbang District and the Limbang Division of northern Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The town has a population of 56,900 (as of the 2020 census) and covers an area of 3,978.10 square kilometres.

Limbang's geographical location has a significant impact on transportation to and from the town. Due to its position between two parts of Brunei, most transportation links between Limbang and the rest of Sarawak have to go through Brunei. Limbang is completely cut off from the rest of Sarawak's road network, but it has good road connections to both halves of Brunei, located to the east and west of the district. This unique situation means that when travelling by land outside of Brunei, such as to Miri, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu, one must pass through Brunei. As the only road connection outside of the district is through Brunei, a passport is required to travel into or out of Limbang.

There are two Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine Complexes in the Limbang district, both leading into Brunei. The first is the Tedungan checkpoint, located 43 kilometres west of Limbang, which corresponds to the Kuala Lurah checkpoint on the Brunei side. The second is the Pandaruan checkpoint, located 15 kilometres east of Limbang, which leads to Kampung Ujong Jalan in Brunei's Temburong district. The Pandaruan River forms the border between Malaysia and Brunei's Temburong district, and a bridge was built in 2013 to facilitate river crossings.

In addition to road connections, Limbang is also served by Limbang Airport, which caters to the entire Limbang District. MASWings, the rural air service, links Limbang with the Sarawakian towns of Miri and Lawas, offering onward flights to Kota Kinabalu.

Limbang's history as part of Brunei

Historical Context

Limbang was historically part of the Bruneian Empire, which at its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries controlled much of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah. However, the Bruneian Empire began to decline in the 19th century, and Brunei started losing territory.

Annexation by Sarawak

In 1884, a rebellion by Limbang residents against high taxes imposed by the Bruneian Empire provided an opportunity for territorial expansion by Sarawak, then ruled by the Brooke government. Despite protests from Brunei, Limbang was gradually annexed by Sarawak through a series of leases and treaties.

British Protectorate

In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, which failed to halt the loss of territory to Sarawak. The annexation of Limbang in 1890 by Rajah Charles Brooke, the ruler of Sarawak, left Brunei with its current borders and separated it into two non-contiguous parts. This fragmentation was further exacerbated by the establishment of the Sarawak district of Limbang, which bifurcated Brunei's territory.

Post-World War II Developments

After World War II, Brunei regained some autonomy with the formation of the British Military Administration and the revival of the Brunei State Council. However, the issue of Limbang's sovereignty remained unresolved.

Independence and Ongoing Disputes

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on January 1, 1984, but the status of Limbang remained disputed. Subsequent Sultans of Brunei continued to assert claims over Limbang, and negotiations between the two countries ensued.

In 2009, an agreement was reportedly reached, with Brunei agreeing to drop its claim on Limbang in exchange for Malaysia relinquishing claims to oil-rich areas in the South China Sea. However, the Brunei government denied these reports, maintaining that the Limbang claim was never discussed and remains unresolved.

To this day, Limbang's history as part of Brunei is a sensitive and ongoing matter, with both countries holding differing views on the legitimacy of Limbang's inclusion in Sarawak.

Border crossing checkpoints from Limbang to Brunei

Limbang is a border town in the Limbang District of northern Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The town is situated on the banks of the Limbang River, between the two halves of Brunei.

There are two road border crossing checkpoints in Limbang, both leading into Brunei. The first checkpoint, Tedungan, is located 43km west of Limbang and is the road crossing into the main part of Brunei from Limbang. The corresponding Brunei checkpoint is called Kuala Lurah. The second checkpoint, Pandaruan, is located 15km east of Limbang on the Pandaruan River, which forms the border between Sarawak and Brunei's Temburong district. The crossing has to be done by ferry. The checkpoint on the Brunei side is called Puni and is located in a wooden building 500m from the ferry landing point.

If you are travelling from Sarawak to Sabah, you will need to pass through nine checkpoints in total, which require you to stamp your passport and scan a QR code (only on the Brunei side). This is because Brunei is separated into two parts by the Limbang district of Sarawak.

To enter Brunei by road, you will need a valid passport, a driving license recognised in Brunei, a vehicle registration card, a visa (unless you are from a country that has been exempted), an Entry and Exit (EES) Pass, an E-Arrival Card, and travel medical insurance with Covid-19 coverage.

Limbang's cultural diversity

Limbang is a culturally diverse region, with a rich history of trade and exchange. The area has been a melting pot of cultures, with a mix of Malay, Kedayan, Chinese, Iban, and various Orang Ulu ethnic groups such as Lun Bawang, Bisaya, Murut, Kelabit, and Penan. The unique geography of Limbang, nestled between two halves of Brunei, has shaped its cultural landscape.

Historically, Limbang was known as "Pangkalan Tarap", a thriving trade settlement named after a well-known fruit in the Malay community. The area was a "rice bowl" for Brunei, producing cheap agricultural goods for the Bruneian Empire. This trade history dates back to before the 1800s, and the name "Pangkalan Tarap" reflects the cultural exchange occurring in the region.

In the late 19th century, the settlement of Pangkalan Tarap combined with the Trusan and Lawas districts, leading to a name change. The area then became known as "Limbang", taking its name from the river on which it is situated. This river, called the Limbang River or "Sungai Limbang" in Malay, continues to be a defining feature of the region.

The cultural diversity of Limbang is further enhanced by its proximity to Brunei. The Malay dialect in Limbang has distinct influences from Kedayan, Brunei Malay, and Sabah regional dialects. This blend of languages reflects the interchange of ideas and cultures between the two regions.

The cultural diversity of Limbang is a result of its historical trade activities, unique geography, and proximity to Brunei. The region's cultural landscape is shaped by the interchange of languages, customs, and people, creating a vibrant and distinct community.

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