Kinarut

Kinarut
Town
Other transcription(s)
• Chinese	京那律
Kinarut town centre and railway station Kinarut town centre and railway station
Kinarut
Coordinates:
Country	Malaysia
State	Sabah
Population (2010)
• Total	18,029

Kinarut is a town in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located about 20 kilometres south of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, and is one of the stops on the Sabah State Railway. Kinarut is under the administration of the Papar district.

Etymology

Several theories exist as to the etymological origins of the name 'Kinarut'. One such theory is that it refers to a street in the town which was formerly called China Road. Another theory is that it originated from the Dusun word Kinorot which means 'cutting using a knife'.

History

Colonial-era shoplots

Kinarut originally belonged to the Sultanate of Brunei. In the late 17th century, when Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin had to withdraw from Pulau Chermin (Chermin Island) during the Brunei Civil War, he built a base in Kinarut at a strategic location protected by two rivers. He remained there for ten years as the Sultan of Kinarut, during which incidents of piracy in the surrounding seas decreased significantly. With help from the local Bajau and Dusun people, he managed to counter several attacks from Sultan Muhyiddin.

Demographics

A 2010 census estimated the population of Kinarut at 18,029. This population consists mainly of Bajaus, Bruneian Malays, Kadazans, Chinese (of whom most are Hakka Chinese), Dusuns and a small number of Muruts. There is also a large Filipino refugee settlement in Kinarut, which has reportedly caused ethnic tension among locals.

Kinarut Dusuns

The Dusuns of Kinarut originally came from an area called Nunuk Ragang ('red banyan tree') in the district of Ranau. Overpopulation in Nunuk Ragang caused large numbers to move away. Some of these migrants travelled in a south-westerly direction towards Kaiduan, a hilly area to the east of Kinarut. (The name Kaiduan comes from the Dusun word pogiduan, meaning 'a place to settle down'.) Several of these settlers in turn travelled downhill along the Kinarut River, eventually settling in what are now the villages of Labak and Langkuas in the modern-day Kinarut area.

Attractions

Ruins of Kinarut Mansion

Kinarut is noted for its weekly tamu, an open air market dominated by native sellers which is held every Saturday. It is also close to Dinawan Island, Lok Kawi Wildlife Centre and the Kinarut Mansion ruins.