Long Laput

Long Laput (also known as Laput) is a settlement in the rural interior of the Marudi district of Sarawak, Malaysia. It lies approximately  east-north-east of the state capital Kuching.

Description
Long Laput is one of the biggest villages along the Baram River and the majority of the inhabitants belong to the Kayan tribe. The estimated population is 2000 people, most of whom live in longhouses. In the late 1950s the main longhouse was reputed to be the longest in Borneo, being 700 metres in length. The main source of income is agriculture, including rice, pepper, rubber and increasingly palm oil; one oil palm estate extends to 2500 acres. Livestock include freshwater fish farming and cattle which graze the oil palm plantation.

Development
The history of the village dates back at least to the 1920s, but a significant change started in 1950 with the arrival of the Borneo Evangelical Church, followed by Roman Catholics in 1956. Schools were built in 1956 and a health clinic was opened in the village. The longhouses were constructed from bamboo and thatched with leaves. Unfortunately, a 70-family longhouse was destroyed by fire in 1987. Longhouses are now constructed using bricks, and the village now has modern infrastructure, including running water, electricity, sports facilities, a public library and public telephones. The library also provides internet access, photocopying and scanning. The school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Laput, provides education and accommodation for 192 students, with a teaching staff of twelve.

Threats
If the Baram Bam hydroelectric project goes ahead, Long Laput will be one of the villages affected by the flooding of 389,000 hectares of jungle.

Neighbouring settlements
Neighbouring settlements include:
Lirong Kawit  southeast
Long Lama  northwest
Batu Gading  north
Long Puak  north
Rumah Ingkot  west
Long Banio  north
Uma Bawang Kanan  south
Uma Bawang Kiri  south
Rumah Banyi  north
Rumah Jelian  northwest

References

Category:Villages in Sarawak