The name "Selangau" comes from the name of a river, which is one of the tributaries of the Mukah river.
History
The earliest settlement of Selangau town was near the Selangau river delta. Initially, the area was inhabited by the Beketan people before they were displaced by the Iban people from Kanowit and Lemanak river. The Beketan people then moved to Tatau District. Meanwhile, the Iban people inhabited the Selangau delta in the 1930s and 1940s. There were only four shophouses owned by Chinese and Iban people selling groceries at that time. In the 1960s, after the completion of Pan Borneo Highway between Sibu and Bintulu, these residents then moved their homes to the present location beside the highway. Selangau was originally put under the administration of Mukah district. However, with the increasing number of traders coming to town, has raised the population of the town. In the 1970s, a representative was chosen to administer the town and act as an intermediary between the government and the people. Selangau also become a resting station for the people who ply the highway regularly. In the 1980s, a great fire burnt down the wooden houses in the town of Selangau. After that concrete houses were built to replace the wooden houses. Due to the rising population and the development of Selangau, it was declared as a new district on 1 March 2002 with the Selangau town acted as the administrative centre. The Selangau district is now put under the administration of Sibu Division.
Government
administers the Selangau town and district.
Geography and climate
Selangau town is located at an intersection approximately 74 km from Sibu town, 84 km from Mukah town and 134 km from Bintulu town.
Demographics
The population of the district is 24,412.
Economy
Transport
Selangau have accessibility of sea and land transportation via cars, trucks, bus and boats. Currently, it was accessed mainly on road as it used many times. Selangau included in Pan Borneo Highway project and was managed by Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd as a turnkey contractor. The main purpose of this project is replacing the existing two-lane carriageway at the old road to new four-lane two-way carriageway, including a few new lanes and constructing of an interchange at Mukah junction and new bridges, including new Batang Mukah Bridge. The main contractor of this project is Musyati Mudajaya JV Sdn Bhd.
There is a weekend bazaar at Selangau where natives could sell their jungle produce to their customers. Pesta Selangau is held every year. Among the activities during the festival are: rafting, kayaking, and radio-controlled boat race.
