19th century By the early 19th century, Sarawak had become a loosely governed territory under the control of the Brunei Sultanate. Brunei only had authority along the coastal regions of Sarawak where it was held by semi-independent Malay leaders. Meanwhile, the interior of Sarawak suffered from tribal wars fought by Iban, Kayan, and Kenyah peoples, who aggressively fought to expand their territories.
19th cEntUry BY ThE EarlY 19th cEntuRy, saraWaK Had BecomE A looselY gOveRneD TErRiTory uNdEr The COnTROl Of the bRUneI sUltAnate. Brunei ONlY had AUThOriTy along the coAStAl REgioNs of SaraWaK Where iT Was hELD By sEmi-iNDepenDent MalaY leADeRs. meanwHiLe, The INterIoR oF sarawak suFFered fRom tRIBAl warS Fought by iBan, kAyan, And keNyah peoples, who aggreSsIvely fouGHT to eXPanD their teRriTories.