Spaoh

An Iban longhouse at Penom, Ulu Paku, Spaoh.

Spaoh is a small town & district in the Betong Division in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is formerly known as Saribas District.

Geographically (not administratively) by locals, Spaoh is divided into areas such as Ili Pasar Spaoh (Spaoh downriver), Bungin, Paku Ili (Brutan), Ulu Paku & Ulu Anyut.

Most of the people in Spaoh are farmers thus the main economical activity in Spaoh is farming. Most of the farmers here plant paddy, pepper and some do rubber-tapping.

The total population of Spaoh is around 17,000: Ibans (5,950), Malay (Orang Laut) (11,050) & Chinese (850). Although Ibans are only the second-largest group in Spaoh, most people in Spaoh interact in the Iban dialect which is understood by both Chinese and Malays. English and Malay are widely spoken too.

Main attractions of this district is the Bukit Saban resort & the production of the salted pufferfish known as Ikan Masin Buntal, which is a local delicacy, in the Malay villages around Spaoh. The pufferfish (known to locals as buntal) is also the mascot of Spaoh.