Central Sarawak Research Articles

Consumers’ perception of distribution channel for the Malaysian microtakaful scheme: an exploratory study

Purpose This paper aims to investigate consumers’ preferences regarding the distribution channels for subscription, contribution payment and compensation claims of microtakaful scheme in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Consumers’ preferences were explored through questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) conducted among the bottom 40% income classification households (B40) in five zones: northern, central, eastern, southern and Sabah and Sarawak. Findings Empirical findings from cross-tabulation analysis revealed that takaful company is the preferred distribution channel for purchasing protection plans and making compensation claims. However, the online platform is the favoured channel to make contribution payments. Further investigation through FGD suggested that the selection of a channel for subscription, contribution payment and compensation claim is influenced by consumer trust, cost-effectiveness and simplicity of procedure. Research limitations/implications Limitation is pertaining to only cross-tabulation analysis used in explaining the choice of distribution channel for microtakaful among B40 group. Thus, advanced analysis is required to strengthen the findings. Practical implications Findings of this study would help marketers and practitioners to formulate strategies to promote their microtakaful protection to enhance subscription among the low-income population. Originality/value Empirical findings offer academic contributions to the existing body of knowledge on microtakaful area as the primary data collected will eventually allow future researchers to explicate the contribution of the current study to understand the important of distribution channel for microtakaful from the perspective of subscribers and potential subscribers.

Local community dependence on salt licks in North and Central Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo)

Local communities worldwide utilise natural salt licks for hunting or extracting salts. In Sarawak, salt licks are not protected by legislation, and limited documentation is available regarding the community dependence on such resources. This study investigates the dependence of indigenous Sarawak communities on natural salt licks. A quantitative questionnaire survey using snowball sampling approach was conducted, targeting 27 individuals from communities residing nearby nine salt licks in northern and central Sarawak. These communities included the Kenyah (18), Iban (four), Berawan (three), Kelabit (one) and others (one). The survey revealed that the saly licks were mainly utilised for hunting (92.6%) or to collect salt (7.4%). A majority of respondents (57.1%) reported catching one to two animals on each hunting trip near a salt lick. Sambar deer (38.5%) was recorded as the most commonly observed animal at these sites, followed by wild boar (24.6%) and muntjacs (15.4%). Other species include macaques (10.8%), langurs (7.7%) and mousedeers (3.1%). The study highlights the importance of salt licks and can be used to formulate the development of conservation strategies and management plans for these sites in Sarawak.

Enhancing Service Quality through Employee Knowledge in the Tourism Industry

The tourism industry plays a crucial role in Malaysia's economy, driving long-term growth and development. To deliver high-quality customer experiences, the industry must consider numerous factors, including the level of knowledge of its employees. This study explores the relationship between knowledge and service quality in the context of tourist guides working in the Southwest Sarawak (Kuching), Central Sarawak (Sibu) and Northeast Sarawak (Miri) regions. The study was conducted using a stratified random sampling method, and data was collected through a survey questionnaire. The data was analysed using Structural Equation Modeling techniques, and the findings indicated a significant relationship between knowledge and various service quality dimensions, including reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, and responsiveness. The study aims to inform the development of effective policies and programmes by the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies and to provide a foundation for future research on the Malaysian tourism industry.

Late Oligocene-Early Miocene Palynological Succession From Marginal Marine Deposits, Nyalau Formation, Bintulu Sarawak: Palynostratigraphy, Paleovegetation And Paleoclimate Significance

Palynological analysis was conducted on one hundred and twenty-four samples collected from ten sedimentary outcrops in Sangan, Tatau, Bintulu and Similajau areas of central Sarawak. These outcrops form part of the Oligocene-Miocene marginal marine successions of the Nyalau Formation. Rich palynomorph assemblages were recovered from the samples and they provide well-preserved palynological record for the Oligocene-Miocene boundary in the onshore of northwest Borneo. Three distinct palynological zones were identified based on changes in pollen assemblages. The three zones are informally named FT-I, FT-II and FT-III. The FT-I zone is characterized by high frequency of Florschuetzia trilobata with common Florschuetzia semilobata including sporadic Meyeripollis naharkotensis. High percentage of F. trilobata and sporadic occurrence of F. semilobata are typical of the FT-II zone. Another important characteristic for this zone is characterized by common to abundant Casuarina type pollen while M. naharkotensis is virtually absent. The FT-III zone is marked by the presence of Florschuetzia levipoli. The zone is also characterized by abundant F. trilobata including regular occurrence of F. semilobata with common montane elements represented by Pinus, Picea, Alnus, Ephedra and Tsuga. All the identified zones record regular occurrence of Gramineae throughout with strong variation in diversity and frequency of peat swamp taxa represented by Blumeodendron type, Calophyllum type, Stemonurus type Calamus type and Dactylocladus type. The mangrove element such as Rhizophora type exhibits gradual increased in number throughout the FT-I and FT-II zone and showing reduced abundance in FT-III zone. These three zones are correlatable to the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene palynostratigraphy of the Cycle I and Cycle II in the Sarawak Basin. The palynological successions from these areas suggest a typical wet climate with intermittent seasonally dry conditions throughout the Late Oligocene - Early Miocene. This is evident from the regular occurrence of grass pollen i.e., Gramineae/Poaceae with common rain forest and peatswamp elements. This is supported by the common to high frequency of mangrove pollen notably Rhizophora type (Zonocostites ramonae). The Early Miocene may have experienced occasional super wet climatic conditions where rain forest pollen assemblages were prevalent including intermittent acme of Casuarina type pollen.

An Erosional Unconformity At The Top Of The Nyalau Formation Near Bintulu, Central Sarawak (Malaysia): Its Regional Context And Significance

This article documents an erosional unconformity at the top of the Nyalau Formation (Oligocene-Early Miocene) exposed in a road-cut northeast of Bintulu in central Sarawak. The outcrop succession essentially comprises a lower unit of thickly-bedded sandstones representing wave-dominated shoreface facies overlain by fluvio-tidal channel deposits that were deposited following a base-level lowering. This gently tilting sand-rich unit is cut by an irregular concave-up erosional surface, overlain by mudstones and thinly interbedded heterolithics that show large-scale internal stratification indicative of multiple scour-and-fill structures, progradation and/or lateral accretion. The erosional surface separating the two units not only marks a significant shift in sedimentary facies but the fact that it cuts into deformed and tilted strata (Upper Nyalau) suggests that it is an erosional unconformity caused by a tectonic deformational event. Based on regional structural synthesis and stratigraphic evidences, the unconformity probably represents the eroded top of the Nyalau Formation, overlain by a relatively undeformed succession tentatively correlated with the Early-Middle Miocene post-Nyalau formations in the Mukah-Balingian region.

Organic geochemical characterization of Cretaceous — Eocene shale and mudstone in Belaga Formation

Sarawak Basin has been very prominence for increasing hydrocarbon potential in their formations and its nature as a source rock. Previous studies highlighting more on the evaluation of geochemical characteristics of Paleogene-Neogene coals as the source rock without taking into consideration shales and mudstones in the area. The targets of the study are to evaluate the potentiality of the hydrocarbons, the type of organic matter and thermal maturity of shales and mudstones of Belaga Formation, mainly by using data of Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance data. Twenty-one outcrops with twenty-nine samples from Belaga Formation shales and mudstones in the Central Sarawak Basin were analyzed by means of geochemical techniques. The shales and mudstones samples of the Belga Formation has low value of S2 ranging between 0.02-0.66 mg HC/g rock with an average 0.09 mg HC/g rock, indicating that the formation has poor hydrocarbon generative potential. There is lack of hydrogen-rich in the organic matter content in the Formation samples, that were affect the quality of source rocks to be evaluated as good source rock. Geochemical data (Rock-Eval) Tmax values ranging from 316 and 607°C for shales and mudstones formations and indicating various histories of maturation within the Formation. The level of the maturation is various from immature, late mature to post mature. The production index (PI) values of the studied samples in Belaga Formation ranging from 0.12-0.65 mg HC/g rock.

Poro-perm evolution in Oligo-Miocene coastal sandstones: Constraining the relative influence of sedimentary facies, mineralogy, and diagenesis on analogue reservoir quality of the Nyalau Formation, Borneo

The application of enhanced recovery techniques to improve oil recovery requires a critical understanding of the depositional and post-depositional factors that impact fluid flow in sandstone reservoirs. This study combined facies, petrographic, mineralogical, and helium porosimetry analyses to examine the quality and producibility of the subsurface reservoir equivalents (Cycles I-III) of the Nyalau Formation in the underexplored Onshore Central Sarawak, Borneo. The Nyalau Formation consists of medium-to fine-grained, moderate-to well-sorted, and sub-rounded to sub-angular sublitharenite to lithic subarkose sandstones. Three facies associations and eight reservoir facies interpreted to have been deposited within a coast-to-coastal barrier depositional environment were delineated. The sandstones have undergone a wide range of diagenetic alterations, with the primary and secondary pore spaces predominantly occluded by authigenic quartz overgrowths and clay mineral cement. The helium porosity (ɸH) and Klinkenberg permeability (KK) in the reservoir facies widely vary, ranging from 3.0 to 22.14% and 0.003 to 8.283 mD, respectively. However, the weak correlation between ɸH and KK (R2 = 0.35) and petrographic datasets indicate limited diagenetic and mineralogical controls on the porosity-permeability (poro-perm) parameters, consistent with relatively high heterogeneous reservoirs. We inferred that the heterogeneous reservoir properties and fluid flow in the studied analogue reservoir sandstones are dominantly influenced by depositional processes, as shoreface sandstones typically yield better reservoir quality than those deposited within the intertidal reaches. Our data indicate that diagenetic modification and bioturbation exerted lesser control on fluid-flow quality. Nevertheless, the disparity of poro-perm values in samples of the same facies suggest that localised post-depositional modifications can disproportionately affect reservoir quality, regardless of uniformity or variations in depositional conditions.

Pleistocene paleodrainages explain the phylogeographic structure of Malaysian populations of Asian arowana better than their chromatic variation

Little is known about the genetic structure and phylogeography of Asian arowana (Scleropages spp.). Natural variation in body color has led to the informal distinction of chromatic varieties, but previous studies that attempted to genetically characterize these varieties did not comprehensively cover their geographical distribution. In Malaysia, about 10 drainage-restricted populations of Asian arowana are known that are currently classified into 2 species and 3 color varieties. In this study, we used 3 molecular markers to test 2 hypotheses explaining the relationships among 9 of these populations. The first hypothesis postulates that each color variety forms a monophyletic group, whereas the second hypothesis assumes that Pleistocene paleodrainages shaped the distribution of these populations. We found that the overall genetic variability is low within Asian arowana and that the green variety is non-monophyletic, with other varieties nested within. Instead, the populations of Malaysia belong to 3 genetic lineages that are allopatrically distributed. The ages and distribution of 2 of these lineages are consistent with past connections through paleodrainages, whereas the last lineage is restricted to Central Sarawak. Overall, our results reject the first hypothesis, demonstrating that the geographic origin of specimens is a better phylogenetic indicator than their body color. This study highlights the importance of Malaysia in the conservation of Asian arowana, because it is the only country in which populations of all 3 main genetic lineages occur.

Cretaceous Kuching accretionary orogenesis in Malaysia Sarawak: Geochronological and geochemical constraints from mafic and sedimentary rocks

The Kuching zone, the most important tectonic boundary in Borneo, separates the Sibu zone in Central Sarawak from the Schwaner Mountains granitoids in SW Borneo. It potentially provides a key window for probing the paleo-Pacific subduction process. This paper presents new geochronological, elemental and SrNd isotopic data for the Pakong-Serabang and Serian mafic rocks, along with detrital zircon UPb age-data for the associated greywacke in the Sarawak Kuching zone. These mafic rocks are dated at ~77–98 Ma and show distinctive geochemical signatures. The Pakong- Serabang mafic rocks are subalkaline basalt with SiO2 = 46.22–51.75 wt%, TiO2 = 0.49–2.42 wt% and MgO = 6.30–10.54 wt%. They exhibit MORB-like PM-normalized patterns with depletion in LILEs and HFSEs. Their 87Sr/86Sr(t) and εNd(t) range from 0.70285 to 0.70728 and + 7.4 to +9.4, respectively, originating from a slab-derived fluid-modified MORB-like source. The late Cretaceous Serian Volcanics are marked by SiO2 of 51.52–57.90 wt%, MgO of 3.50–5.06 wt% with mg-number = 36–46 and show arc-like geochemical signatures with (Nb/La)n = 0.37–0.47. They have 87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0.71188–0.71417 and εNd(t) = −11.1 ~ −7.3, and were derived from a mantle wedge with the input of recycled sedimentary components. The detrital zircon grains from the associated sandstones give similar age-spectra to those in East Peninsular Malaysia and SE Vietnam. Our data revealed a Cretaceous Kuching trench-arc system. In combination with other geological observations, it is concluded that NW Borneo to the southwest of the Sarawak Kuching zone was a part of the Indochina/East Peninsular Malaysia fragment in SE Asia prior to the Jurassic and re-activated as an active continental margin in the Cretaceous. Widespread accretionary orogenesis along the Kuching zone likely initiated at or before the early Cretaceous and ended no earlier than the latest Cretaceous in response to the westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific slab.

Geosesarma sodalis, a new species of vampire crab (Crustacea, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) from a limestone cave in central Sarawak, Malaysia.

A new species of semi-terrestrial crab of the genus Geosesarma (Sesarmidae) is described from a limestone cave in central Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Geosesarma sodalissp. nov. is characterised by its quadrate carapace, absence of a flagellum on the exopod of the third maxilliped, presence of 10 or 11 sharp tubercles on the dactylus of the chela and a diagnostic male first gonopod structure. This is the sixth species of Geosesarma reported from Sarawak, and the first member of the genus collected from inside caves.

The Bawang Member, a unique unit of Belaga Formation in the Miri Zone, Central Sarawak, NW Borneo Malaysia: Revised stratigraphic and sedimentological characteristics

Bawang Member (Unit 4) of Late Eocene age is the fifth and the youngest member of Belaga Formation. In general, the Late Cretaceous to Late Eocene turbidite sequence of Rajang Group in the lower Rajang area (Central Sarawak) is characterized by Belaga Formation. This member is unique and is only exposed in the vicinity of the Tatau area (Arip valley and Tatau High region) with limited exposures. In this research we present new evidence, to support its position on the stratigraphic column, based on field observations (stratigraphic and sedimentological characteristics) and lab analysis (TOC). Numerous recently exposed sections were visited in the study area. Four litho-facies were identified in the Bawang Member based on sedimentological observations; (1) Massive sandstone facies (SF1), (2) Medium to thick-bedded sandstone facies (SF2), (3) Thin bedded heterolithic facies (SF3), and (4) Mudstone or Shale facies (SF4). Reddish maroon and green shales exposed in Tatau High region are only exposed in another member of Belaga Formation i.e. Kapit Member. The Bawang Member sediments differ from the Tatau High region sediments in absence of cleavage and internal sedimentary features (rip-up clasts), the occurrence of bioturbation, and with lesser exposures of mud facies. On the contrary, the Tatau High sediments show higher ratios of mud facies, presence of cleavage in shales and even in few sandstones, and absence of major bioturbation of strata. The presence of internal sedimentary features (rip-up clasts) in Tatau High and in Kapit Member supports the idea that these are the parts of the same rock unit. Furthermore, contrasting TOC values between these two units (Bawang and Tatau High), and the similarity of TOC among Tatau High and Kapit Member are also in support of the same idea. Based on the differences of facies (rock) types, the effect of cleavage, absence of rip-up clasts, the occurrence of bioturbations and different TOC values, we confirm that the Tatau High rocks must be older than most of Bawang Member exposures and are actually the faulted blocks of Kapit Member.

Geochemistry of Eocene Bawang Member turbidites of the Belaga Formation, Borneo: Implications for provenance, palaeoweathering, and tectonic setting

The Belaga Formation of the Rajang Group or Rajang Fold and Thrust Belt (Late Cretaceous to Late Eocene) is mostly exposed in Sibu Zone along with some exposures in the Miri Zone of Central Sarawak. This entire turbiditic sequence was believed to have been deposited in a deep marine environment in a basin having an overall passive margin setting, that is, the Rajang Sea. However, the Eocene age‐related stratigraphic record of this group (including Bawang Member) is much more complex, due to the complicated geological and tectonic settings which prevailed during their deposition. Here, we present field observations along with the application of various geochemical proxies and their constraints for the understanding of provenance, palaeo‐weathering, and tectonic evolution of the area during the deposition of Bawang turbidites. Based on field observation, it has been found that this member consists of four main lithofacies, including massive sandstone facies (MSF), thick‐bedded facies (TBF), heterolithic facies (HF), and mud facies (MF). Using geochemical data, chemical weathering indices (CIA and CIW) values and A‐CN‐K plot show that the source area for Bawang turbidites has undergone a moderate to an intense degree of chemical weathering and was influenced by the recycling effect. The slight depletion in sandstones and shales for Cr, Ni, and V values is consistent with the felsic dominated source region; however, La/Sc versus Co/Th and La/Th versus Hf plots show a mixed source (felsic and intermediate volcanic source) with some input of recycled sediments from the older sedimentary to metasedimentary rocks. Various geochemical ratios and discriminant diagrams verify that the Schwaner Mountains and its metamorphic group of rocks were the principal provenances for these sediments, along with some input from West Borneo. The results of the geochemical analysis also show that Bawang turbidite sediments were deposited in a basin associated with an initial active continental margin setting and the basin was shifting towards a passive setting (Late Eocene–Oligocene). The volcanic input in Bawang Member during the Late Eocene also suggests the involvement of some subsequent possible arc setting around the “Bawang subbasin”.

New vectors in northern Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, for the zoonotic malaria parasite, Plasmodium knowlesi

BackgroundPlasmodium knowlesi is a significant cause of human malaria in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Only one study has been previously undertaken in Sarawak to identify vectors of P. knowlesi, where Anopheles latens was incriminated as the vector in Kapit, central Sarawak. A study was therefore undertaken to identify malaria vectors in a different location in Sarawak.MethodsMosquitoes found landing on humans and resting on leaves over a 5-day period at two sites in the Lawas District of northern Sarawak were collected and identified. DNA samples extracted from salivary glands of Anopheles mosquitoes were subjected to nested PCR malaria-detection assays. The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of Plasmodium was sequenced, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of the mosquitoes were sequenced from the Plasmodium-positive samples for phylogenetic analysis.ResultsTotals of 65 anophelines and 127 culicines were collected. By PCR, 6 An. balabacensis and 5 An. donaldi were found to have single P. knowlesi infections while 3 other An. balabacensis had either single, double or triple infections with P. inui, P. fieldi, P. cynomolgi and P. knowlesi. Phylogenetic analysis of the Plasmodium SSU rRNA gene confirmed 3 An. donaldi and 3 An. balabacensis with single P. knowlesi infections, while 3 other An. balabacensis had two or more Plasmodium species of P. inui, P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi and some species of Plasmodium that could not be conclusively identified. Phylogenies inferred from the ITS2 and/or cox1 sequences of An. balabacensis and An. donaldi indicate that they are genetically indistinguishable from An. balabacensis and An. donaldi, respectively, found in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.ConclusionsPreviously An. latens was identified as the vector for P. knowlesi in Kapit, central Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, and now An. balabacensis and An. donaldi have been incriminated as vectors for zoonotic malaria in Lawas, northern Sarawak.

Geological interpretation of Spectral Gamma Ray (SGR) of fine clastic rocks from the Nyalau Formation central Sarawak, Malaysia

Geological interpretation of Spectral Gamma Ray (SGR) of fine clastic rocks from the Nyalau Formation central Sarawak, Malaysia

Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Borneo XXIII: a new rheophytic species of Homalomena (Punctulata Clade) from the Tau Range, Sarawak

Homalomena cataractae is described and illustrated as a new species of Steenisian rheophyte belonging to the Homalomena punctulata‐clade from the Tau range, Central Sarawak. A key to the species of the Homalomena punctulata‐clade is provided.

Experimental study of batch electrocoagulation treatment of peat water in Sarawak with aluminium electrodes

Peat water is commonly found in the coastal areas of Southern and Central Sarawak. About 39% of the rural communities in Sarawak are yet to receive clean water supply. As such the rural communities depend excessively rainwater and peat water for domestic usage. However, the usage of untreated peat water for domestic usage may cause harm to human health and well-being as it contains natural organic matters such as humic substances. Electrocoagulation is an environmentally friendly and simple process of water treatment. This research aims to develop a batch electrocoagulation process for treatment of peat water in Sarawak using Aluminium electrodes. The research includes the study on electrocoagulation for peat water treatment, design, and fabrication of batch electrocoagulation process using Aluminium, experimental study for optimum performances of the electrocoagulation, and economic analysis of the electrocoagulation system. Several parameters that affect the performances of the electrocoagulation system are studied such as the inter-electrode distance, number of electrodes, current density and treatment time. The performance of the system is evaluated based on the removal efficiency on turbidity, colour, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Content (TOC) and Total Suspended Solid (TSS). The system successfully removes 100% of colour, 93.35% of turbidity, 89.80% of COD, 88.22% of TOC, and 87.50% of TSS by using a current density of 25 A/m2 in 80 minutes and 8 Aluminium electrodes with inter electrode spacing of 2 cm. The final quality of treated peat water is determined to be suitable for domestic usage which falls under Class 1 water of the National Water Quality based on the parameters analyzed. The operating cost of 25 A/m2 current density for 80 minutes of treatment time by using 8 electrode plates is RM 4.32 per m3 of peat water.

Issues and Challenges In the Production of Handicrafts by Iban and Orang Ulu Women in Central Sarawak

Issues and Challenges In the Production of Handicrafts by Iban and Orang Ulu Women in Central Sarawak

Evaluation of shales of the Belaga Formation in Central Sarawak, Malaysia, using the Spectral Gamma Ray method

Evaluation of shales of the Belaga Formation in Central Sarawak, Malaysia, using the Spectral Gamma Ray method

Biogeographical distribution of microbial communities along the Rajang River–South China Sea continuum

Abstract. The Rajang River is the main drainage system for central Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo and passes through peat domes through which peat-rich material is being fed into the system and eventually into the southern South China Sea. Microbial communities found within peat-rich systems are important biogeochemical cyclers in terms of methane and carbon dioxide sequestration. To address the critical lack of knowledge about microbial communities in tropical (peat-draining) rivers, this study represents the first seasonal assessment targeted at establishing a foundational understanding of the microbial communities of the Rajang River–South China Sea continuum. This was carried out utilising 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing via Illumina MiSeq in size-fractionated samples (0.2 and 3.0 µm GF/C filter membranes) covering different biogeographical features and sources from headwaters to coastal waters. The microbial communities found along the Rajang River exhibited taxa common to rivers (i.e. predominance of β-Proteobacteria) while estuarine and marine regions exhibited taxa that were common to the aforementioned regions as well (i.e. predominance of α− and γ-Proteobacteria). This is in agreement with studies from other rivers which observed similar changes along salinity gradients. In terms of particulate versus free-living bacteria, nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) results showed similarly distributed microbial communities with varying separation between seasons. Distinct patterns were observed based on linear models as a result of the changes in salinity along with variation of other biogeochemical parameters. Alpha diversity indices indicated that microbial communities were higher in diversity upstream compared to the marine and estuarine regions, whereas anthropogenic perturbations led to increased richness but less diversity. Despite the observed changes in bacterial community composition and diversity that occur along the continuum of the Rajang River to the sea, the PICRUSt predictions showed minor variations. The results provide essential context for future studies such as further analyses on the ecosystem response to anthropogenic land-use practices and probable development of biomarkers to improve the monitoring of water quality in this region.

Post-depositional controls on siliciclastic tight reservoirs: Implications from the Oligocene Nyalau Formation (Cycle 1), onshore Central Sarawak, Borneo

Abstract Subsurface tight reservoir sandstones of the Oligocene Nyalau Formation (Cycle I), NW Borneo were studied to understand the variability of its reservoir quality with depth, determine major controls responsible for porosity loss, identify reservoir facies and reconstruct paragenetic sequence. Core samples representing an estimated 125 Feet (38.1 m) interval from an onshore well in Central Sarawak were subjected to thin section, Helium porosimetry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, x-ray powder diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and energy diffractive x-ray spectroscopy. The sandstones are fine-to-medium grained and comprise of sublithearenite and subarkose primarily sourced from recycled orogenic sources. Four lithofacies base on textural composition and diagenetic events were identified: (A) matrix dominated sandstone, (B) matrix-free sandstone, (C) quartz-cemented sandstone and (D) clay-coated sandstone. Obtained helium porosity, 0.90–11.52% (Average 4.27%) and Klinkenberg permeability,