In the 1960's the Durin bazaar was mainly wooden with few urban utilities.
Durin is actually only 50 KM from Sibu by road.
The Chinese and Ibans traded in Durin, mainly in engkabang, rice and pepper. Many Foochows ventured there and invested on the land to grow rambutans, pepper and fruits. A few Chinese schools were set up in the area for the Chinese settlers' children.
It was said that Communist activities were started in the 1950's in Sibu and they were especially active after the formation of Malaysia in 1963, when the attention of the communits turned against the formation of Malaysia.
The Rajang Security Command (RASCOM) was established in 1973 to curb Communist activities in the the Rajang Mid Valley.
Communist insurgency in Sarawak was significantly impaired in 1973 and later ended in 1990.
Curfew was a hated word. The economy of the people came to a standstill and fear spread every where. Neighbours started not to trust each other and there was a lot of infighting.
The curfew hours were bad, mainly to curb the food and medical supplies. The hours were 6 to 6, others 24 hours. These curfews were emplaced to weed out communists in the jungle.
Accidentally,many able men and women were killed in the jungle when they tried to do a bit of farming. Many communists were also killed. Soldiers, namely Gurkhas, some British soldiers, Malay REgiment, Sarawak Border Scouts were wounded or killed.
Durin was quite a bad spot, so much so that many people migrated from Durin and set up homes in Sibu and else where. Many Iban longhouses were forced to help the Communists as they were threatened. But the soldiers did their rounds and protected several longhouses.
How many Ibans were killed by both sides no one would know.
Rural Health Clinic
Longhouses in Durin
Today, progress has come to Durin, schools have been set up, roads are pretty good. The Durin Bridge is one iconic bridge which brought much progress to the people of Durin.
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