SMK Long Lama celebrates its 60th anniversary with grand dinner graced by Sarawak premier

MIRI, March 28 2026:  Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Long Lama celetrates its 60^th anniversary tonight, with a grand dinner graced by Premier Abang Johari Openg at a hotel here.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg being welcomed by Orang Ulu men dressed in their traditional costumes. 

Abang Johari said 60 years  is not just a number, but It is a journey of history, sacrifice and success. “From a school that started with modest facilities, SMK Long Lama today has grown into a fairly modern and proud educational institution in rural and even remote areas,” the premier said.

He added over the past six decades, this school has produced many successful and excellent Sarawakian children, many of whom are successful in  various professional fields.

“This proves that children from remote areas are also capable of success, as long as they are given the right opportunities, education and support.

“This success also shows that SMK Long Lama has carried out its responsibility very well in educating the younger generation in remote areas for a long time under the guidance of school principals who are very committed and responsible with their duties for these six decades,” Abang Johari said.

SMK Long Lama was first established in 1956 and began borrowing the Bukit Sabun School building – a classroom building with two classrooms and a dormitory.

The SMK Long Lama dormitory building is still used today by the Long Lama Agriculture Department and the roof of the dormitory was only replaced in 2001.

The old classroom building is located on the site of the Long Lama Agriculture Department's new block. Bukit Sabun School moved to a new site next to the Baram River on a piece of land donated by a Kayan woman named Ubong Imang in 1964/1965.

The first batch of students from Form 1 to 3 for Long Lama Government Secondary School moved to the current site in 1967.

The first buildings were a kitchen and dining hall (now used as Geranium Hostel) and a classroom block (on the site of the current Protea Hostel), two student dormitories and a principal's quarters. The road connecting Long Lama to the school was very muddy and students at that time had to use a bridge to cross to class.

There were no teachers' quarters in 1967.