MIRI

port town, East Malaysia, on the South China Sea coast of northwestern Borneo. It lies south of Baram Point in a rubber- and rice-growing region. The town began in 1911, when nearby oil fields were opened. Peak production came in the 1930s; the fields declined, but there were later discoveries offshore at Salbiah. Lutong, 7 miles (11 km) north, has a refinery and is linked by pipeline to Brunei's Seria field. Because of site obstruction, the oil is transferred to tankers 3 miles offshore by a submarine pipe. Miri lies on the coastal road south of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. About half the town's population is Chinese. Pop. (1980) 52,125.